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Orfeo is grieving for his dead wife Euridice. He appeals to his beloved to return, and then to the gods for their mercy for his overwhelming grief, but his entreaties go unanswered. Finally his grief turns to resolve and he curses the fates. He is determined to find her, even if it means facing death himself to reach her.
Amore appears to help Orfeo, telling him that Jupiter feels pity for his grief. If Orfeo can cross the river of Lethe alive, and, with his singing, calm the Furies, monsters and death itself, Euridice will be returned to life. Amore explains that there is a condition: he cannot look upon his wife until they have left the caverns of the Styx, nor can he tell her of this condition. If he breaks it, he will lose her forever. Orfeo is unnerved, knowing that both he and Euridice will be overcome with love and joy when they are reunited. He is determined to suffer a little longer if it means he can get his wife back.
In a cavern on the far bank of the river Cocytus, Furies and Spectres are outraged at the arrival of a live man in their realm. Orfeo sings to them of his grief and the mob is calmed. They open the gates to Hades for him toproceed. In Elysium, Orfeo is enchanted by the beauty of the abode of blessed heroes. A group of Heroes and Heroines tell him that Euridice is already returning to life. Orfeo impatiently waits until his wife is brought forth. Without a word or a glance, he takes her hand and leads her from Elysium.
In a dark cavern, an overwhelmed Euridice follows her husband. Orfeo reassures her that he is still very much alive and that he is leading her back to the world of the living. Euridice asks Orfeo why he will not look at her. Orfeo is tempted, but steels himself to remain strong. Euridice is overcome with sadness and Orfeo can no longer resist: he turns around to look into her eyes just before she dies again. Grief-stricken, Orfeo cannot imagine life without her, and takes out a dagger to kill himself. Amore suddenly appears and disarms Orfeo, telling him that he has suffered enough for love and that no more sacrifice will be demanded. Amore then brings Euridice to life again, to be reunited joyfully with her husband.
Lawrence Zazzo as Orfeo and Isabel Bayrakdarian as Euridice in the Canadian Opera Company production of Orfeo ed Euridice. Photo Credit: © 2011 Michael Cooper.