Orpheo ed Euridice

Scene I

The poet and singer Orfeo grieves near the tomb of his young wife, his friends are with him.  Orfeo sends the others away and sings of his grief.  Orfeo’s despair moves Zeus and Amor, the god of love, and the gods allow him to go to Hades to return his wife from the underworld.  However Orfeo must not look at her until they are back to upper world.  Orfeo takes his lyre and goes to Hades.

Scene II

At the entrance to the underworld the Furies refuse Orfeo to enter.  But then he begins to play his lyre and they let him in.

Scene I

Orfeo is among blessed spirits.  He is searching for his wife.  At last they meet and begin their journey back to the upper world to the future happy life.

Scene II

Orfeo leads his wife towards the upper world and tries not to look at her.  Euridice is embarrassed; why Orfeo does not look at her?  She laments that she has been liberated from death only to face the faded love and conclude that death would be preferable.  Orfeo turns to embrace his wife who at once breathes a farewell and dies.  Overcome with grief Orfeo decides to die and to join Euridice in Hades.  Before he can do so Amor appears and restores Euridice to life.  The happy couple returns to the upper world, where they are greeted by friends, who perform dances of celebration.  Orfeo, Amor and Euridice praise the power of love.