The Writing of Orpheus

Orpheus in the Underworld represents a quantum leap in Offenbach’s operetta output, for it would have been unthinkable to have created a stage work of such opulence and extravagance in Paris prior to that time. Strict regulations dating from the era of Napoleon I assigned to each of the city’s theatres a specific dramatic genre and a proportionate number of employees and performers. For Offenbach this meant writing for no more than three actors on stage at any one time. He openly flouted the regulations, however, ingeniously increasing his dramatic possibilities by adding puppets to his cast list and conveying what he had to say by means of banners held up by mute actors.

The Valley Of Vision is the follow up project to Manchester Orchestra's masterpiece, A Black Mile To The Surface. These songs stemmed from Black Mile but the band switched things up creatively and holed themselves up in a home studio in Muscle Shoals. This is another excellent piece of work from the band which really showcases how they are becoming important record makers both through Andy Hull's song writing and their innovation of sound in the studio. Manchester Orchestra are the best Rock Band in America and The Valley Of Vision continues to prove that to us.