Orfeo is an opera in a prologue and five acts by the Italian composer Claudio Monteverdi. The Italian libretto (text), written by Alessandro Striggio, was based on the 10th book of the Metamorphoses by the Roman poet Ovid. The full title of the opera is La Favola d’Orfeo (The Legend of Orpheus). It was among the earliest operas ever composed. It was first performed at the court of the Duke of Mantua on Feb. 24, 1607.
After a prologue, nymphs and shepherds dance for happiness over the coming marriage of Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus’s hymn to nature is interrupted by a messenger bringing news that Eurydice is dead. Orpheus descends to Hades, the underworld, to find her. He hears comforting words from an allegorical figure of Hope and lulls the ferryman of the River Styx in Hades, Charon, to sleep with his song. Crossing the River Styx, Orpheus makes a bargain with Pluto, ruler of Hades, and Pluto’s wife, Proserpina, and wins Eurydice’s release. Orpheus made an agreement with the gods that he would not turn around to look back at Eurydice while they were on their journey out of the underworld. Just before they reach the light, Orpheus turns around to assure himself that Eurydice is still behind him. At that moment, she is snatched back to Hades. Orpheus sings a lament, but the god Apollo comforts him with the news that he will achieve immortality with his Eurydice.
