Azione teatrale per musica in 3 Acts-The premiere of the Azione teatrale “Orfeo ed Euridice” took place in Vienna in 1762 and plays a significant role in the history of the music theatre. With this work the composer for the first time rejected the rigid conventions of the Italian opera seria and made an important first contribution towards the renewal of opera genre. In collaboration with his librettist Calzabigi Gluck reduced the plot to its essentials and freed it from the typical political and romantic intrigues which prevailed at that time. The choir takes on a larger role and the ballet is integrated into the plot. Solo and choral parts instrumental music as well as pantomimeand dance are closely connected. The style of singing has a natural simplicity and coloratura is largely abandoned. This stands in stark contrast to the vocal acrobatics of opera seria. Urtext edition based on the “Gluck Complete Works” Revised and newly set Italian libretto with singable German translation Comprehensive foreword (Ger/Eng/Ital) on the genesis of the work and its reception as well as on the plot Clear idiomatic piano reduction