Iphigenie en Tauride - English National Opera

Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride makes its ENO debut in a new production directed by Olivier Award-winner Lyndsey Turner, bringing to life a powerful story of family, fate, and survival drawn from Greek mythology. The opera follows Iphigénie and her brother Oreste, descendants of a cursed and violent dynasty whose lives have been shaped by tragedy and bloodshed. Believing each other dead, the siblings are separated by exile and trauma: Iphigénie is stranded on a remote island, serving a cruel ruler in a lonely temple, while Oreste is driven to the brink of madness by his family’s dark legacy. When a mysterious stranger arrives bearing news of her fallen family, Iphigénie fears all hope is lost — until she begins to suspect that destiny may still offer the possibility of reunion and redemption.

Widely regarded as Gluck’s greatest operatic achievement, Iphigénie en Tauride will be performed in its original French with English surtitles, highlighting the emotional intensity and dramatic clarity of the score. Conducted by baroque specialist David Bates in his ENO debut, the production stars Christine Rice as Iphigénie alongside Jacques Imbrailo as Oreste. Combining psychological depth with themes of sacrifice, grief, and hope, this rarely staged masterpiece explores whether love and forgiveness can overcome a history shaped by violence and loss.