Encyclopedia of fairy-tale heroes: "Orpheus and Eurydice." PR in Ancient mythology Orpheus and Eurydice love story summary

The famous German composer Christoph Gluck is the author of one of the most famous operas, Orpheus and Eurydice. Here the author talks about sublime, earthly feelings, about the purest and most transmitted love. The heroes of this work are characters from Greek mythology.

The plot dates back to antiquity, there are many dramatic elements and techniques that make the work rich.

Characters

Orpheus is a musician.

Eurydice is the wife of a musician.

Cupid is the god of love, he unites loving hearts.

Blessed Shadow - lives in the kingdom of the dead.

Furies, shepherd, shadows of the dead, spirits.

Summary of the Myth and Legend of Orpheus and Eurydice (opera)

Orpheus is a wonderful musician, but he cannot be calm because his beloved Eurydice has died. He spends all his time near her tomb. He feels so bad without her that he asks heaven to return her or make him smaller. The gods heard his unusually velvety voice. Then Zeus tells Cupid to come down and voice the decision of the gods. He tells Orpheus that he has been allowed to descend into the dark world and bring back his wife. But he can do this only if his music moves the spirits. But there are also conditions that he must comply with. He is forbidden to look back and look his wife in the eyes. But he loves her so much that he agrees to any conditions.

And so he finds himself in a dark area, where mystical creatures block his path, try to scare him, but the power of music and art works wonders. The spirits make concessions to him, and he enters the underworld. Having passed all the obstacles, he finds himself in the world of blissful shadows. This place is called Elysium. Eurydice is here. He feels calm and peaceful here, but is not happy without his beloved. The beautiful landscape and birdsong bring him inspiration. He sings about the beauty of this nature. His songs attract shadows that bring his beloved. Shadow removes her veil and joins their hands, but reminds him of the mandatory condition. Orpheus is in a hurry to leave the afterlife and goes without looking back. The closer they get to the exit, the more Eurydice turns into a real woman.

They again find themselves in a terrible gorge, Orpheus tries to pass it faster, but his wife asks him to look at her. But Orpheus is not inclined, she becomes disillusioned with his love and refuses to leave the kingdom of the dead. Then he breaks the condition and hugs his wife. But a terrible prophecy comes true, Eurydice is dead forever.

Orpheus despaired just a little more, and they would have been happy, but now he simply has no reason to live. He wants to commit suicide. The gods were struck by such strong feelings, and they resurrect his wife.

They are greeted by a choir of shepherdesses and shepherds who sing and dance, praising the wisdom of the gods and the power of love, which can even conquer death. Love and art cannot be destroyed even by death, but there is a line between the world of the dead and the world of the living that cannot be crossed. Perhaps that’s why we feel guilty before the dead, because we didn’t add something or didn’t love something.

Picture or drawing Christoph Gluck - Orpheus and Eurydice

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The opera entitled "Orpheus and Eurydice" is the first work in which the new ideas of the composer Gluck were realized. Its premiere took place in 1762, on October 5. A summary of the opera "Orpheus and Eurydice" is presented in this article.

Reform of the opera in the work

This work marked the beginning of the opera reform. The recitative was written in such a way that the meaning of the words came first, and the orchestral part was subordinate to the mood of the stage. The static singing figures in the work began to play. Singing was thus combined with action. At the same time, his technique was significantly simplified, but at the same time it became much more attractive and natural. The overture served to introduce the mood and atmosphere of the subsequent action. In addition, Gluck turned the chorus into an integral part of the drama. The dramatic structure of the opera is based on completed musical numbers. They, like arias, captivate with their completeness and melodic beauty.

The plot of the love of Eurydice and Orpheus

The plot of the love of Eurydice and Orpheus is one of the most common in opera. Before Gluck, Landi, Monteverdi, Caccini, Peri and other authors used it in their works. However, it was Gluck who embodied and interpreted it in a new way. After reading the summary of the opera "Orpheus and Eurydice", you will find out, for example, what the peculiarity of the finale was. New features presented in the work for the first time reflect the author’s quest over many years of creativity.

Option chosen by Gluck

Of the many versions of this legend, the one presented in the Georgics created by Virgil was chosen. This reflects the summary of the opera "Orpheus and Eurydice". We will describe not the work of Virgil itself, but the opera in a brief summary. In it, the heroes appear in touching and majestic simplicity, endowed with feelings accessible to an ordinary person. The choice was influenced by the author's protest against rhetoric, false pathos, as well as the pretentiousness of feudal-noble art.

First and second editions

In the first edition of the work, presented in Vienna in 1762, on October 5, Gluck had not yet completely freed himself from the tradition of ceremonial performances that existed at that time. The content of the opera "Orpheus and Eurydice" was somewhat different than it is now. For example, the viola castrato was assigned the part of Orpheus, the role of Cupid (decorative) was introduced, the ending turned out to be happy, contrary to the myth. The second edition (1774, August 2, Paris) differed significantly from the first. The content of the opera "Orpheus and Eurydice" has changed significantly. De Molina's text was rewritten. The part of Orpheus sounded more natural and expressive, which was transferred to the tenor and expanded. Gluck completed the scene in hell, which is also described in the summary of the opera Orpheus and Eurydice, with music from the ballet Don Juan (the final part). A flute solo was introduced into the music of "blessed shadows". It was later known as Gluck's "Melody" in concert practice.

The opera was revived in 1859 by Berlioz. Pauline Viardot performed as Orpheus. Since that time, there has been a tradition in which the title role is performed by the singer.

First action

Orpheus has just lost Eurydice, his beautiful wife, and the opera, after a rather vigorous overture in rhythm, begins in front of her tomb, in the grotto. First, accompanied by a choir of shepherds and nymphs, and then alone, as the content of the opera “Orpheus and Eurydice” says, Orpheus mourns his girlfriend. He decides to finally return her from the underworld. To do this, he wants to master Hades, while armed only with inspiration, tears and the lyre. The gods, however, took pity on him. Cupid (i.e. Cupid, or Eros) tells Orpheus that he can enter the underworld. If his melodious voice and the delight of his tender lyre pacify the wrath of the lords of fatal darkness, he will be able to lead his beloved from the abyss of hell.

Conditions set by the gods

The main character needs to fulfill only one condition in this case: not to cast a single glance at Eurydice and not to turn around until he brings his unharmed wife back to the ground. Not looking at her is the most difficult thing to do, so the hero asks the gods for help. The sound of the drums at this moment represents thunder and lightning flashes. This marks the beginning of a difficult journey.

Second act

The second act takes place in Hades, the underground kingdom of the dead. Here Orpheus first defeats the Furies (otherwise the Eumenides), after which he takes his wife from the Blessed Shadows. The chorus of furies is terrifying and dramatic, but gradually, as the main character sings and plays the lyre, they soften. His music is extremely simple, but perfectly conveys the drama of what is happening. In the opera, the rhythmic pattern used in this episode is repeated more than once in the future. The Furies finally dance ballet. Gluck composed it a little earlier in order to depict Don Juan's descent into hell.

The realm of Blissful Shadows is called Elysium. At first the scene is dimly lit as if by the dawn. However, gradually the light fills it. A sad Eurydice appears with a wandering gaze, yearning for her friend. After she leaves, the Blissful Shadows gradually fill the stage. They walk in groups. This action is the dance of the Blessed Shadows (in another way - gavotte), well known now. It is accompanied by a flute solo, which is extremely expressive.

After Orpheus and the Furies leave, Eurydice with the Blessed Shadows sings about a quiet life in the afterlife paradise - Elysium. After their disappearance, Orpheus appears again. He is now alone, praising the beauty that appears before his eyes. The orchestra enthusiastically plays a hymn in which the beauty of nature is praised. The blessed shadows, attracted by his singing, return again. They themselves are still invisible, but their choir sounds.

Here is a small group bringing Eurydice. The girl's face is covered with a veil. One of the Shadows joins the hands of the lovers and removes the veil from Eurydice. She, recognizing her husband, wants to express delight, but the Shadow gives a sign to Orpheus not to turn his head. He holds his wife’s hand and walks ahead, climbing the path to the exit from the underworld. At the same time, he does not turn his head towards her, remembering well the condition set by the gods.

Third act

The last act begins with the main character leading his wife to earth through gloomy passages through a rocky landscape, winding paths, and dangerously overhanging cliffs. Eurydice knows nothing about the gods’ ban on Orpheus to cast even a fleeting glance at her before the couple reaches the ground. As Eurydice moves, she gradually transforms into a real woman from the Blessed Shadow, which she was in the previous act. She has a hot temperament. Therefore, Eurydice, not understanding why Orpheus behaves this way, bitterly complains to him about how indifferent he is towards her now. She turns to her husband sometimes enthusiastically, sometimes tenderly, sometimes with despair, sometimes with bewilderment. The heroine makes the assumption that perhaps Orpheus has stopped loving her. While he convinces his wife otherwise, she becomes even more insistent. The woman ends up trying to drive her husband away. Their voices merge at this dramatic moment.

Orpheus embraces Eurydice and looks at her. She dies when he touches her. After this comes the most famous moment in the opera - an aria called “I Lost Eurydice.” The main character, in despair, wants to commit suicide with a blow of a dagger. This dramatic moment continues the content of the opera "Orpheus and Eurydice". Orpheus mourns (Eurydice is already dead) the death of his wife. The main character takes the dagger, but Cupid appears to him at the last moment and stops him. cries out passionately: “Eurydice, rise again.” It’s as if she’s waking up from sleep. The gods were so amazed by the loyalty of the protagonist, says Cupid, that they decided to reward him.

Happy ending

The final scene takes place in the temple of the god Cupid. This is a series of dances, choirs and solos in celebration of love. This ending is much happier than known from mythology. Eurydice, according to the myth, remains dead, and her wife is torn to pieces by the Thracian women, indignant that he neglected them, indulging in selflessly sweet sorrow.

This is the brief content of the opera “Orpheus and Eurydice” (the plot of the work).

Orpheus, the great singer, son of the river god Eager and the muse of song Calliope, lived in Thrace. His wife was the tender and beautiful nymph Eurydice. The beautiful singing of Orpheus and his playing of the cithara not only captivated people, but also enchanted plants and animals. Orpheus and Eurydice were happy until a terrible misfortune befell them. One day, when Eurydice and her nymph friends were picking flowers in a green valley, a snake hidden in the thick grass waylaid them and stung Orpheus’ wife in the leg. The poison spread quickly and ended her life. Hearing the mournful cry of Eurydice's friends, Orpheus hurried into the valley and, seeing the cold body of Eurydice, his tenderly beloved wife, fell into despair and groaned bitterly. Nature deeply sympathized with him in his grief. Then Orpheus decided to go to the kingdom of the dead to see Eurydice there. To do this, he descends to the sacred river Styx, where the souls of the dead have accumulated, whom the carrier Charon sends to the domain of Hades. At first, Charon refused Orpheus' request to transport him. But then Orpheus played his golden cithara and charmed the gloomy Charon with wonderful music. And he transported him to the throne of the god of death Hades. In the midst of the cold and silence of the underworld, Orpheus’ passionate song sounded about his grief, about the torment of his broken love for Eurydice. Everyone who was nearby was amazed by the beauty of the music and the strength of his feelings: Hades, and his wife Persephone, and Tantalus, who forgot about the hunger that tormented him, and Sisyphus, who stopped his hard and fruitless work. Then Orpheus stated his request to return his wife Eurydice to earth. Hades agreed to fulfill it, but at the same time stated his condition: Orpheus must follow the god Hermes, and Eurydice will follow him. During his journey through the underworld, Orpheus cannot look back: otherwise Eurydice will leave him forever. When Eurydice's shadow appeared, Orpheus wanted to hug her, but Hermes told him not to do this, since in front of him there was only a shadow, and there was a long and difficult path ahead.

Quickly passing the kingdom of Hades, the travelers reached the River Styx, where Charon ferried them on his boat to a path leading steeply up to the surface of the earth. The path was cluttered with stones, darkness reigned all around, and the figure of Hermes loomed ahead and there was barely a glimmer of light, which indicated that the exit was close. At that moment, Orpheus was overcome with deep anxiety for Eurydice: was she keeping up with him, was she lagging behind, was she getting lost in the darkness. After listening, he did not discern any sound behind him, which exacerbated the uneasy feeling. Finally, unable to bear it and breaking the ban, he turned around: almost next to him he saw the shadow of Eurydice, stretched out his hands to her, but at the same moment the shadow melted into the darkness. So he had to relive the death of Eurydice a second time. And this time it was my own fault.

Overcome by horror, Orpheus decides to return to the shores of the Styx, re-enter the kingdom of Hades and pray to God to return his beloved wife. But this time Orpheus’ pleas did not move old Charon. Orpheus spent seven days on the banks of the Styx, but never softened Charon’s harsh heart, and on the eighth he returned to his place in Thrace.

Four years passed after Eurydice's death, but Orpheus remained faithful to her, not wanting marriage with any of the women. One day in early spring, he sat down on a high hill, took a golden cithara in his hands and began to sing. All nature listened to the great singer. At this time, women-bacchantes, possessed by rage, appeared, celebrating the festival of the god of wine and fun, Bacchus. Noticing Orpheus, they rushed at him shouting: “Here he is, the hater of women.” Seized by a frenzy, the bacchantes surround the singer and shower him with stones. Having killed Orpheus, they tear his body into pieces, tear off the singer’s head and throw him, along with his cithara, into the fast waters of the Hebra River. Carried away by the current, the strings of the cithara continue to sound, mourning the singer, and the shore responds to them. All nature mourns Orpheus. The singer's head and his cithara are carried out to sea by the waves, where they float to the island of Lesbos. Since then, wonderful songs have been heard on the island. The soul of Orpheus descends into the kingdom of shadows, where the great singer meets his Eurydice. Since then, their shadows have been inseparable. Together they wander through the gloomy fields of the kingdom of the dead.

Images of poetic myth are extremely popular in world art. Based on his motives, paintings by the great painters Tintoretto, Rubens, Bruegel were painted; the opera “Orpheus” was created by Verdi and Gluck, the ballet “Orpheus” by I. Stravinsky; Jacques Offenbach wrote the operetta Orpheus in Hell. The original interpretation of the myth was given by the American playwright Tennessee Williams in the drama “Orpheus Descends to Hell.” For many years, the international festival of singers “Golden Orpheus” was held in Sopot, Poland.

The myth of Orpheus and his beloved Eurydice is one of the most famous myths about love. No less interesting is this mysterious singer himself, about whom not much reliable information has survived. The myth of Orpheus, which we will talk about, is only one of the few legends dedicated to this character. There are also many legends and fairy tales about Orpheus.

The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice: summary

According to legend, this great singer lived in Thrace, located in northern Greece. Translated, his name means “healing with light.” He had a wonderful gift of songs. His fame spread throughout the Greek land. Eurydice, a young beauty, fell in love with him for his beautiful songs and became his wife. The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice begins with a description of these happy events.

However, the carefree happiness of the lovers was short-lived. The myth of Orpheus continues with the fact that one day the couple went into the forest. Orpheus sang and played the seven-string cithara. Eurydice began to collect flowers growing in the clearings.

The Kidnapping of Eurydice

Suddenly the girl felt that someone was running after her through the forest. She got scared and rushed to Orpheus, throwing flowers. The girl ran through the grass, not making out the road, and suddenly she fell into a snake wrapped around her leg and stung Eurydice. The girl screamed loudly in fear and pain. She fell on the grass. Hearing the plaintive cry of his wife, Orpheus hurried to her aid. But he only managed to see how large black wings flashed between the trees. Death took the girl to the underworld. It’s interesting how the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice will continue, isn’t it?

Orpheus' grief

The great singer’s grief was very great. After reading the myth about Orpheus and Eurydice, we learn that the young man left people and spent whole days alone, wandering through the forests. In his songs, Orpheus poured out his longing. They had such power that the trees that had fallen from their places surrounded the singer. Animals came out of their holes, stones moved closer and closer, and birds left their nests. Everyone listened to how Orpheus yearned for his beloved girl.

Orpheus goes to the kingdom of the dead

Days passed, but the singer could not console himself. His sadness grew every hour. Realizing that he could no longer live without his wife, he decided to go to the underworld of Hades in order to find her. Orpheus searched for the entrance there for a long time. Finally, he found a stream in Tenara's deep cave. It flowed into the river Styx, located underground. Orpheus went down the stream bed and reached the bank of the Styx. The kingdom of the dead, which began beyond this river, was revealed to him. The waters of the Styx were deep and black. It was scary for a living creature to step into them.

Hades gives Eurydice

Orpheus went through many trials in this terrible place. Love helped him cope with everything. Eventually, Orpheus reached the palace of Hades, ruler of the underworld. He turned to him with a request to return Eurydice, a girl so young and beloved by him. Hades took pity on the singer and agreed to give him his wife. However, one condition had to be met: it was impossible to look at Eurydice until he brought her to the kingdom of the living. Orpheus made a promise that throughout the entire journey he would not turn around and look at his beloved. If the ban was violated, the singer risked losing his wife forever.

Return trip

Orpheus quickly headed towards the exit from the underworld. He passed through the domain of Hades in the form of a spirit, and the shadow of Eurydice followed him. The lovers boarded the boat of Charon, who silently carried the couple to the shore of life. A steep rocky path led to the ground. Orpheus slowly climbed up. It was quiet and dark around. It seemed that no one was following him.

Violation of the ban and its consequences

But it began to get brighter ahead, and the exit to the ground was already close. And the shorter the distance to the exit, the brighter it became. Finally, everything around me became clearly visible. Orpheus' heart was filled with anxiety. He began to doubt whether Eurydice was following him. Forgetting his promise, the singer turned around. For a moment, very close, he saw a beautiful face, a sweet shadow... The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice tells that this shadow immediately flew away and disappeared into the darkness. Orpheus, with a desperate cry, began to go back down the path. He again came to the shore of the Styx and began to call the ferryman. Orpheus prayed in vain: no one responded. The singer sat alone for a long time on the bank of the Styx and waited. However, he never waited for anyone. He had to return to earth and continue to live. He was never able to forget Eurydice, his only love. The memory of her lived in his songs and in his heart. Eurydice is the divine soul of Orpheus. He will unite with her only after death.

This ends the myth of Orpheus. We will supplement its brief content with an analysis of the main images presented in it.

Image of Orpheus

Orpheus is a mysterious image that is found in a number of Greek myths. This is a symbol of a musician who conquers the world with the power of sounds. He is able to move plants, animals and even stones, and also evoke in the gods of the underworld (the underworld) compassion that is not typical for them. The image of Orpheus also symbolizes overcoming alienation.

This singer can be seen as the personification of the power of art, which contributes to the transformation of chaos into the cosmos. Thanks to art, a world of harmony and causality, images and forms is created, that is, the “human world”.

Orpheus, unable to hold on to his love, also became a symbol of human weakness. Because of her, he was unable to cross the fatal threshold and failed in his attempt to return Eurydice. This is a reminder that there is a tragic side to life.

The image of Orpheus is also considered a mythical personification of one secret teaching, according to which the planets move around the Sun, located at the center of the Universe. The source of universal harmony and connection is the force of its attraction. And the rays emanating from it are the reason why particles move in the Universe.

Image of Eurydice

The myth of Orpheus is a legend in which the image of Eurydice is a symbol of oblivion and tacit knowledge. This is the idea of ​​detachment and silent omniscience. In addition, it is correlated with the image of music, in search of which Orpheus is.

The Kingdom of Hades and the Image of Lyra

The kingdom of Hades, depicted in the myth, is the kingdom of the dead, beginning far in the west, where the sun plunges into the depths of the sea. This is how the idea of ​​winter, darkness, death, night appears. The element of Hades is the earth, which again takes its children to itself. However, the sprouts of new life lurk in her womb.

The image of Lyra represents the magical element. With his help, Orpheus touches the hearts of both people and gods.

Reflection of myth in literature, painting and music

This myth was first mentioned in the writings of Publius Ovid Naso, the major “Metamorphoses” - a book that is his main work. In it, Ovid expounds about 250 myths about the transformations of heroes and gods of ancient Greece.

The myth of Orpheus outlined by this author has attracted poets, composers and artists in all eras and times. Almost all of his subjects are represented in the paintings of Tiepolo, Rubens, Corot and others. Many operas have been created based on this plot: “Orpheus” (1607, author - C. Monteverdi), “Orpheus in Hell” (operetta of 1858, written by J. Offenbach), “Orpheus” (1762, author - K.V. Glitch).

As for literature, in Europe in the 20-40s of the 20th century this topic was developed by J. Anouilh, R. M. Rilke, P. J. Zhuve, I. Gol, A. Gide and others. At the beginning of the 20th century in Russian poetry, the motifs of myth were reflected in the work of M. Tsvetaeva (“Phaedra”) and in the work of O. Mandelstam.

"Orpheus and Eurydice"(Italian: Orfeo ed Euridice) - an opera by K. F. Gluck, created in 1762 based on the plot of the Greek myth of Orpheus. The opera marked the beginning of Gluck's "opera reform", aimed at achieving an organic fusion of music and drama and subordinating musical development to dramatic development. The original version of the libretto was written Ranieri de Calzabigi in Italian. The opera premiered on October 5, 1762 at the Burgtheater in Vienna. The part of Orpheus was performed by a castrato viola Gaetano Guadagni.

Subsequently, the opera was revised by the author, and in 1774 a new edition was prepared with a libretto in French, authored by P.-L. Molina. This version of the opera was first presented to the public on August 2, 1774 in Paris, in Royal Academy of Music. In the 1774 edition, the part of Orpheus was written for a different voice: not an alto (as in the original), but a tenor.

In 1859, G. Berlioz prepared his own version of the opera, where the part of Orpheus is intended for a female voice (mezzo-soprano or contralto).

History of creation

K. V. Gluck

The original version of the libretto was written Ranieri de Calzabigi in Italian.

Subsequently, the opera was revised by the author, and in 1774 a new edition was prepared with a libretto in French, authored by P.-L. Molina. In the 1774 edition, the part of Orpheus was written for a different voice: not an alto (as in the original), but a tenor.

In 1859, G. Berlioz prepared his own edition of the opera.

Characters

The opera takes place in ancient Hellas during prehistoric times. The plot of the opera is taken from an ancient myth, which has many different versions. The librettist of the original edition of the opera, Ranieri de Calzabigi, chose the version contained in Virgil's Georgics.

Production history

The revised version of the opera was first presented to the public on August 2, 1774 in Paris, in Royal Academy emias of music.

The opera "Orpheus and Eurydice" was the first work in which Gluck implemented new ideas. Its premiere in Vienna on October 5, 1762 marked the beginning of operatic reform. Gluck wrote the recitative so that the meaning of the words came first, the orchestra's part was subordinate to the general mood of the stage, and the singing static figures finally began to play, showed artistic qualities, and the singing would be united with the action. The singing technique has been significantly simplified, but it has become more natural and much more attractive to listeners. The opera's overture also served to introduce the atmosphere and mood of the action that followed. In addition, Gluck turned the chorus into a direct component of the flow of the drama. The wonderful uniqueness of “Orpheus and Eurydice” lies in its “Italian” musicality. The dramatic structure is based on complete musical numbers, which, like the arias of the Italian school, captivate with their melodic beauty and completeness.

The ancient plot about the devoted love of Orpheus and Eurydice is one of the most common in opera. Before Gluck, it was used in the works of Peri, Caccini, Monteverdi, Landi and a number of minor authors. Gluck interpreted and embodied it in a new way. Gluck's reform, first carried out in Orpheus, was prepared by many years of creative experience, work in major European theaters; He was able to put his rich, flexible craftsmanship, perfected over decades, at the service of his idea of ​​​​creating a sublime tragedy.

The composer found an ardent like-minded person in the person of the poet Raniero Calzabigi (1714-1795). From the numerous versions of the legend of Orpheus, the librettist chose the one set out in Virgil’s Georgics. In it, ancient heroes appear in majestic and touching simplicity, endowed with feelings accessible to an ordinary mortal. This choice reflected a protest against the false pathos, rhetoric and pretentiousness of feudal-noble art.

In the first edition of the opera, presented on October 5, 1762 in Vienna, Gluck had not yet completely freed himself from the traditions of ceremonial performances - the part of Orpheus was entrusted to the viola castrato, the decorative role of Cupid was introduced; The ending of the opera, contrary to the myth, turned out to be happy. The second edition, which premiered in Paris on August 2, 1774, differed significantly from the first. The text has been re-written

de Molinoy. The part of Orpheus became more expressive and natural; it was expanded and given to the tenor. The scene in hell ended with the music of the finale from the ballet Don Juan; The famous flute solo, known in concert practice as Gluck’s “Melody,” was introduced into the music of “Blessed Shadows.”

In 1859, Gluck's opera was revived by Berlioz. Pauline Viardot performed the role of Orpheus. Since then, there has been a tradition of the singer performing the title role.

Summary

In a beautiful secluded grove of laurels and cypresses is the tomb of Eurydice. Orpheus mourns his girlfriend. Shepherds and shepherdesses, sympathizing with him, call on the spirit of the deceased to hear the groans of her husband. They light a sacrificial fire and decorate the monument with flowers. Orpheus asks to be left alone with his sad thoughts. In vain he calls upon Eurydice - he only echoes the name of his beloved in the valley, forests, and among the rocks. Orpheus begs the gods to return his beloved or take his life.

Cupid appears; he declares the will of Zeus: Orpheus is allowed to descend into hell, and if the voice of the singer and the sounds of his lyre touch the wicked, he will return with Eurydice. Orpheus must fulfill only one condition: not to look at his wife until they reach Earth, otherwise Eurydice will be lost forever. Orpheus's selfless love is ready to withstand all tests.

Thick, dark smoke shrouds the mysterious area, occasionally illuminated by flashes of hellfire. Furies and underground spirits start a wild dance. Orpheus appears playing the lyre. The spirits try to intimidate him with terrible visions. Orpheus calls to them three times, begging them to ease his suffering. Through the power of art, the singer manages to soften them. The spirits admit themselves defeated and open the way to the underworld for Orpheus.

A miraculous transformation takes place. Orpheus finds himself in Elysium - a beautiful kingdom of blissful shadows. Here he finds Eurydice's shadow. Earthly anxieties are alien to her; the peace and joy of a magical land have enchanted her. Orpheus is amazed by the beauty of the landscape, wonderful sounds, and birdsong. But he can only be happy with Eurydice. Without turning around, Orpheus takes her hand and hurriedly leaves.

A gloomy gorge with overhanging rocks and intricate paths appears again. Orpheus is in a hurry to bring Eurydice out of him. But the beloved is upset and alarmed: her husband never looked at her. Has he grown cold towards her, has her beauty faded? Eurydice's reproaches cause Orpheus unbearable mental pain, but he is unable to disobey the gods. Again and again, Eurydice begs her husband to turn his gaze to her. It is better for her to die than to live unloved. Desperate Orpheus gives in to her requests. He looks back and Eurydice falls dead. Orpheus' inconsolable grief knows no bounds. He is ready to stab himself with a dagger, but Cupid stops him. The husband proved his fidelity, and by the will of the gods, Eurydice comes to life again.

A crowd of shepherds and shepherdesses joyfully greets the heroes, entertaining them with singing and cheerful dancing. Orpheus, Eurydice and Cupid glorify the all-conquering power of love and the wisdom of the gods.