The Reformed Drunkard

In a state of inebriation an uncle decides to marry off his niece. The niece loves someone else. A plan is hatched to send her drunken uncle on an illusory trip to the underworld, to put the marriage contract and his reckless ways on trial. Written in the mid 18th century, the hybrid mix of comic and tragic style helped pave the way for Gluck's later operatic reforms. Opera by CHRISTOPH WILLIBALD GLUCK Directed by PHILIP SCHNEIDMAN