I t’s a good thing that Carmina Burana is sung in Latin. The inspiration for one of the
gone-wild poems from the Middle Ages, many of which mocked authority and cel-
The often-ribald verses were written, most likely around 800 years ago, by Goliards
— irreverent monks and scholars from various European countries for whom Latin was
the language of choice both on and off the page.
A cache of 254 poems, discreetly hidden away in a monastery in Benediktbeuern, Germany,
was discovered in 1803. More than a century later, the collection caught the attention
of German composer Carl Orff, who chose 24 of them and set them to music for chorus
In part because nobody speaks Latin
performed in 1937 in Nazi Germany — has
an impact on modern audiences that overshadows
its off-color inspiration.
several installments of Saturday Night Live,
garbled the gags, added a great score and
turned the whole thing into a breathtaking
musical extravaganza highlighted by powerful
and, at times, plaintive dancing.
One thing is certain: In Orlando, we love
Carmina Burana,
CAIRNS
A gimmicky 2003 production staged by
the now-defunct Orlando Opera Company
MICHAEL — not to be confused with the vibrant
BY PHOTO Opera Orlando, which was formed in 2016
and has attracted broad support — trotted
14 artsLife | FALL 2018
out Orlando Magic dancers and Cirque du
Soleil-style acrobats to sell tickets.
Not great art, perhaps, but it was fun. Still,
Carmina Burana
to draw crowds. That was demonstrated a
decade later, when the Orlando Ballet and
the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park collaborated
on an over-the-top 2013 production
at the Bob Carr Theater.
Barely had the applause dissipated when
the two organizations dusted off Carmina
Burana yet again, in late 2014, as the grand
the grand opening of Dr. Phillips Center for
the Performing Arts.
“Incandescent,” raved Matt Palm, arts
critic for the Orlando Sentinel. “The 2014
version lived up to glowing recollections of
the original.” And it was appropriately panoramic,
featuring 30 dancers, 60 players in
and orchestra.
Carmina Burana will feature 30 dancers
from the Orlando Ballet, 60 players from
the Bach Festival Orchestra and more than
200 singers from the Bach Festival Choir.