l’Orfeo – Monteverdi Opera

La Orfeo is a story is derived from a ancient Greek myth that was handed down over the generations.

 The Opera begins by introducing the two protagonists, Orfeo and Euridice, who are preparing for marriage.

In Act 2, Orfeo is informed that Euridice has received a fatal snakebite. Orfeo, after grieving, decides to chase after Euridice into the Underworld and persuade its ruler to permit her to come back to life.
In Act 3, Orfeo is guided to the gates of Hades by Speranza and is then confronted by the ferryman, Caronte. He refuses to take Orfeo across the River Styx, but Orfeo tricks Caronte and steals his boat to cross.

In Act 4, Proserpina, the Queen of Hades, asks the King, Plutone, to release Euridice and he agrees. But he gives a caution to Orfeo – he must not look back as he leads Euridice out of Hades or she must stay. Orfeo starts to lead Euridice out but is then struck by the thought that perhaps she is not following. He turns and looks back causing Euridice to fade away singing,  "Losest thou me through too much love?"
 Finally, in Act 5, Orfeo is invited by Apollo to enter into heaven where he will be able to recognize Euridice in the stars. Orfeo follows and sings of the grace that follows sorrow.

I liked the themes that were portrayed in the story, themes of abiding love, loyalty, and persistance.  The theme that I found particularly interesting throughout was that music is extremely powerful, even supernatural.  This is representative of the Greek doctrine of ethos which experiencied a rebirth during the Rennaissance, and was still popualar at the time this opera was written.  In the story,  Orfeo possessed such a musical gift that he was able to influence the behavior of both the humans and the gods to overcome Hades and to [almost] lead his wife back to the world of the living.