Synopsis for Orpheus and Eurydice

OVERTURE

Orpheus is unable to find an outlet for his immense emotional grief following the death of his wife, Eurydice. Lost in his thoughts, he replays memories of their relationship and the final moments before her passing.

ACT I

At Eurydice’s funeral, Orpheus remains lost in his trauma. As the unbearable loss turns to anger, he cries to the gods to restore Eurydice to him. Amore, goddess of love, appears and comforts him. Pitying Orpheus, the gods allow him to traverse the land of the dead to retrieve Eurydice on condition that he not look upon her until they have reached the land of the living. Orpheus agrees and begins his journey.

ACT II

Orpheus approaches Hades, where the Furies and lost souls try to deny his passage. However,

Orpheus’ singing softens their pain and elicits their compassion to grant him safe passage. In Elysium, Orpheus is moved by the surrounding beauty but feels emptiness after not finding his beloved. Eurydice is brought back to him, and without looking at her, Orpheus leads her away.

ACT III

Orpheus leads Eurydice through a labyrinth out of the underworld. Eurydice yearns for Orpheus to look at her, but he is forbidden to do so and unable to explain why. Eurydice suggests that eternal death would have been preferable to his coldness toward her. Unable to bear it, Orpheus turns to look upon Eurydice, only to see her die again. Orpheus contemplates how he can live without her and decides to end his life. Amore stops him and gifts Orpheus wholeness and acceptance.