MUSIC BY OFFENBACH (ORIGINALLY...)
Orpheus...in
the Undergrowth
MACEDON
SUN APR 19
@2PM
MYTH MEETS MISCHIEF
Outrageously entertaining!
Offenbach’s blisteringly funny satire of celebrity, marriage and the gods – sung in English, trimmed for maximum mischief - semi-staged as a costumed concert in an enchanting private garden alive with rare native plants .
Eurydice flirts with freedom, Orpheus fumbles his big moment, and the Gods of Olympus discover the joys of getting a little mud on their sandals.
Join our 2026 Rising Artist cohort and Associate Artists as we start a year-long travelling sweep through regional Victoria with Offenbach’s sparkling satire Orpheus in the Underworld - reimagined for MACEDON as
ORPHEUS IN THE UNDERGROWTH
WHEN
Sunday 19 April
2pm - 4:30pm
WHERE
Tugurium*
8 Centenary Avenue, Macdeon
*less than an hour from Melbourne CBD
WHO
Associate Artists and a gaggle of Rising Stars raising both eyebrows and a few heavenly temperatures.
WITH
Coady Green, pianist
WHAT
An operatic romp with more than a touch of mischief, and music that refuses to behave.
The gist of the story:
Eurydice (You-rid-er-see) - married to Orpheus - is waiting for a visit from her new lover, the shepherd "Aristaeus" - who is actually the devil in disguise.
He only wants what isn't his, and so he unleashes venom in order to take Eurydice from her husband, back with him to the Underworld.
Orpheus, discovering his wife gone, is jubilant...but his Mother/PR Agent simply will not have the scandal, and she immediately drags him off to Olympus plead with the Gods to get Eurydice back.
The Gods eventually agree to accompany Orpheus and Calliope to Hades - they don't need the scandal either.
Eurydice is not so sure Hades is all its cracked up to be, and confides in a handsome young bartender who just happens to have an Elvis fixation, but, well, you know the rest of the story...Orpheus can bring his wife Eurydice back from the Underworld, only if he doesn't look back...
Not much heartache in this version - but plenty of laughs and beautiful singing!
About ACOCO's Rising Artist 2026 Touring Project:
Aligned with our mission to bring audiences and artists together for 'opera of our time', and to provide a platform for exceptional and highly-trained artists to 'learn by doing', ACOCO presents a rolling 'mini-tour' of a cheeky, semi-staged concert version of Jacques Offenbach's ORPHEUS IN THE UNDERWORLD.
Travelling to Macedon, Healesville, Walhalla - and later, other towns in regional Victoria, ACOCO's Rising Artists set out to charm and delight, with an [even more] irreverent take on Offenbach’s sparkling satire.
Performed in English, Orpheus in the [Undergrowth / Valley / Village] blends gorgeous music, astounding new talent, clever storytelling, and modern absurdity - bringing gods, mortals, and underworld antics to life in multiple venues and settings.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
REVIEW
work is of the highest standard...ambition met with dedication and youthful commitment...artistic execution internationally impressive
CORPORATE HOST
Exceptional voices and their presentation was first rate. They were so professional and yet warm and engaging
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK
Fantastic! Very entertaining - a great opportunity to for a first timer such as myself to experience opera.
