Krewe of Orpheus

Krewe of Orpheus
Formation 1993
Location
Website http://www.kreweoforpheus.com/

The Krewe of Orpheus (1993) is a relatively recent New Orleans Mardi Gras super krewe, which puts on one of the largest parades in the famous Carnival celebrations of New Orleans, Louisiana. The krewe was founded in 1993 by Harry Connick Jr., Harry Connick Sr., and Sonny Borey.

History

The parade is named after Orpheus, a figure from Greek mythology, as an illustration of the power of music.

The Krewe accepts members of either gender and any race or ethnicity, and quickly became one of New Orleans' largest, after it was founded in 1993.[1] It is a music-based krewe, taking its name from Orpheus {ohr'-fee-uhs} of Classical mythology. The Krewe of Orpheus was founded by Harry Connick Jr., his father Harry Connick Sr., Sonny Borey, and others.[2] When the krewe had their first parade on February 14, 1994,[3] there was a record high 700 riders on their parade, and they had then already established themselves as a super krewe. The Krewe of Orpheus was the first super krewe to include both men and women.

Mythology

The Krewe of Orpheus derives its name from the mortal Orpheus, son of the god Apollo and the muse Calliope. The story of Orpheus illustrates the power of music in both this world and the next. Legend is that Apollo presented Orpheus with a lyre, which he played with perfection. The music of Orpheus was so beautiful that wild animals ceased their hunting, mountains bowed, seas stopped spraying and trees bent near to listen when he sang. His music was celebrated and cherished by all who heard it. His melodies inspired the noblest love. When Orpheus sang every heart was opened.

Orpheus accompanied Jason and the Argonauts on their adventures. During one voyage a storm arose, and Orpheus began to play his lyre. Immediately, the sea calmed and the storm ended. When his fellow sailors were bewitched by the enchanted song of the Sirens, Orpheus took up his lyre and began to sing. The Sirens’ song lost all its power, and the women were changed into rocks. However, Orpheus’ greatest feat involved his beautiful wife, Eurydice.

Shortly after their marriage, Eurydice was pursued by Aristaeus, who was overwhelmed by her beauty. When fleeing his advances, Eurydice stepped on a snake, which bit her foot, and she died. Overcome with grief, Orpheus vowed to rescue her from the regions of the dead.

Orpheus gained entry to the Underworld by using his music to charm Charon, the ferryman and Cerberus, the three headed dog that guarded the gates of Hell. He passed through crowds of ghosts, and presented himself before Hades and Persephone. Orpheus strummed his lyre as he implored them to return Eurydice to the realm of the living. As he sang, the ghosts wept and the cheeks of the Furies became wet with tears. The yearning notes from Orpheus’ lyre had kindled their memories of the sweet secrets of life’s pleasures. At last, Eurydice was called forth. Orpheus was permitted to take her away, on condition that he should not turn to look at her until they both reached the surface.

They traveled through dark waters and passages, in silence. They had nearly reached the surface and shafts of sunlight began to illuminate the cavern. In a moment of longing, Orpheus cast a glance behind him. But Eurydice was still in darkness, and she was instantly carried away. They reached for one another, but only grasped the air. Eurydice was lost to Orpheus forever.

Touched by the charm and power of the music of Orpheus, Zeus turned his lyre into a constellation. Thus, Orpheus still inspires lovers, at night, as they gaze upon his stars.

Parade

The Krewe of Orpheus parades on St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street on Lundi Gras (Fat Monday) - the day before Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday). The parade ends inside the Convention Center where Orpheuscapade begins. In addition to the floats, the parade also includes "flambeaux," chariots, and marching bands.

Parade themes

Celebrity monarchs

Other celebrity monarchs for the Krewe of Orpheus include Camryn Manheim, Debbie Allen, Tommy Tune, James Brown, David Copperfield, Delta Burke, Gerald McRaney, Josh Gracin and Christian LeBlanc.

Floats

The Leviathan stored at Mardi Gras World, New Orleans

Per 2008, the krewe has 36 floats. Harry Connick, Jr. wrote and recorded a song for his 1994 album She, called "Here Comes the Big Parade". The song's music video shows clips from floats in the parade. The floats have a large amount of flowers, gilding and gold leaf. The flowers are made out of cardboard, wire, paint, gold leafing, some of paper-mâché, etc.

Notable floats

Throws

The throws include emblem beads, stuffed animals, signature beads, light-up Orpheus medallion beads, cups, three different types of doubloons, and 4-foot-long stuffed dragons.

Orpheuscapade

The parade ends inside the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center where Orpheuscapade begins. Orpheuscapade is the post-parade black-tie party, that includes live music, food, and dancing, and it's open to the public by paid admission. The Orpheuscapade draws a crowd of over 5000 people each year.

Other

Notes

  1. ↑ "Krewe of Orpheus Parade" (notes), webpage: CityGuide-NOLA.
  2. ↑ Broadway To Vegas February 15, 2004
  3. ↑ NewsLibrary Search Results
  4. 1 2 nola.com
  5. ↑ bestofneworleans.com
  6. ↑ thehullabaloo.com
  7. ↑ thehullabaloo.com
  8. 1 2 broadwaytovegas.com
  9. ↑ mardigrasunmasked.com
  10. ↑ bestofneworleans.com
  11. 1 2 gambitweekly.com
  12. ↑ Soaps In Depth Article
  13. ↑ http://www.nola.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/news-36/1200516263295460.xml&storylist=louisiana
  14. ↑ wdsu.com
  15. ↑ nola.com
  16. 1 2 satchmo.com
  17. ↑ cnn.com
  18. ↑ mardigrasneworleans.com
  19. ↑ and others. Broadway To Vegas February 15, 2004

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, January 26, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.