Eternity and the Underworld by Dove, Bach, J. S., Sat 13 Nov 2021, From (2021/2021), Directed by Tara Faircloth, Conductor Matthew Dirst, Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Houston, United States

Bach’s meditation on death in Cantata 82 depicts the great beyond as a peaceful refuge. One of his best-known vehicles for solo voice, Ich habe genug also blends the melancholy sound of the Baroque oboe with accompanying strings, to magical effect. In contrast, Jonathan Dove’s L’altra Euridice (The Other Eurydice) transports us to the underworld, from which Pluto exposes the treachery of humanity in a remarkable chamber opera for bass-baritone plus a mix of period and modern instruments. Ars Lyrica’s provocative new staging of both works will provide plenty of food for thought about the next world.