L’Orfeo

PROLOGUE
Music descends from Parnassus and tells of Orpheus, who tamed wild animals and overcame the Underworld.

ACT ONE
Shepherds and nymphs invoke Hymen, the God of Marriage, and rejoice with Orpheus about the day when Euridice returned his love. Orpheus sings them a song in which he eulogises the Sun God Apollo and his love for Euridice. The chorus of the nymphs and shepherds closes the act, saying that no one should despair, as darkness, pain and cold are always followed by better times.

ACT TWO
Whilst Euridice picks flowers, Orpheus remembers the old love song when he was not yet sure of Euridice, and celebrates his good fortune with the shepherds. Then a messenger enters, lamenting that Euridice has been bitten by a snake and died. The shepherds join in the lamentation and Orpheus adjures the sun and life, resolving to bring Euridice back from the realm of shades.

ACT THREE
Hope accompanies Orpheus to the entrance of the Underworld. From there on, he has to go on without her since the edict written above the entrance gate says “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here!”.
Caronte the ferryman refuses to carry Orpheus over, whereupon Orpheus strikes up with an imploring lament: “Possente spirto e formidabil nume”. Caronte admits that Orpheus’ song moves him, but mercy is not his business. He then falls asleep and Orpheus himself crosses with Caronte’s boat. The chorus of spirits praises the ability of people to subdue nature.

ACT FOUR
Orpheus’ song has moved Proserpina, the wife of Pluto, the ruler of the Underworld. She talks her husband into giving Euridice back to Orpheus out of sympathy. Pluto agrees on condition that before leaving the Underworld he may not turn round to her. Orpheus is sceptical whether she is really following him. Startled by an unexpected noise, he turns around to Euridice and loses her for ever.

ACT FIVE
Echo accompanies Orpheus in his lament about Euridice. Angered at his fate, he abjures all other women.
Then Apollo, his father, floats down from a cloud and takes him up into the heavens: there he will find the features of his beloved in the stars. Orpheus laments no more but declares himself ready to become a worthy son of Apollo.
The opera closes with a boisterous song from the nymphs and shepherds. They praise Orpheus, who has achieved heavenly honour and complete happiness.