Black Orpheus


  • Photo by Carlos Ayento; taken at Brighton Park Iris

  • Photo by Carlos Ayento; taken at Brighton Park Iris

ORIGINATOR: Schreiner

INTRODUCED: 1987

CLASS: Tall Bearded

HEIGHT: 40"

BLOOM SEASON: Mid to Late

DESCRIPTION: Lightly ruffled Victoria violet; Victoria violet beard tipped white.

PARENTAGE: C 1337-1: (Night Song x (R 833-1 x Tuxedo)) X F 73-1: (Matinata x Navy Strut sib)

AWARDS: None

INTERESTING INFO: From the 1987 Schreiner’s Iris Lovers Catalog: Black Orpheus’ show bench stem presents three branches and 7 buds. The first branch is ideally located 15 inches above the ground, creating a perfect candelabrum effect. The medium sized rich dark violet flowers are nicely ruffled and have a flaring undulating form. Buried deep in this velvety richness of color is just a hint of gold in the beards.

In Greek mythology, Orpheus was a musician and poet who followed his deceased wife Eurydice to the Underworld. By charming Hades, lord of the underworld, with music, he obtained permission to lead her away, under the condition that he did not look back at his deceased wife until they had returned to Earth. All went well, but at the last moment, Orpheus doubted himself and turned around. It was at that moment that his wife was gone to him, forever.

Black Orpheus (Orfeu Negro) is a 1959 Brazilian film adaptation of Orpheus. Its bossa nova soundtrack, Manhã de Carnaval, also known as Black Orpheus, is considered a jazz standard amongst the world of jazz musicians.