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Overview

Synopsis

After many years of loneliness and lamenting, the musician Orfeo can now sing songs of joy. Today he is marrying the love of his life; Euridice. But tragedy strikes and ruins not only a perfect day, but the rest of Orfeo’s life. Euridice is bitten by a venomous snake, and dies in moments. Orfeo’s heart is shattered. He vows to rescue her from the underworld, or to remain with her there forever. Armed only with his lyre and his beautiful voice, he ventures into the unknown.

The king of the underworld, Plutone, permits Euridice to return with Orfeo, but on one condition: he must not look back. Until they reach the land of the living, Orfeo must look ahead of him at all times, the slightest glance backwards and Euridice’s is lost forever.

This beautiful story of love and loss, that has been told many times, over many centuries, is made even more painful and tragic by Monterverdi’s elegant score.

Show Information

Category
Opera
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
1607
Genres
Fairy Tale/Fantasy, Historical/Biographical, Tragedy
Settings
Period, Fantasy/Imaginary, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
Mythological, Ancient Greece, Hades, The Underworld
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Small
Dancing
Optional
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
Professional Opera, College/University, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly Characters, Large Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Orfeo

Lead

Male

Tenor, Baritone

Proserpina

Supporting

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano

Plutone

Supporting

Male

Bass

Apollo

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone

Euridice

Supporting

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano

Pastore I / First Shepherd

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Pastore II / Second Shepherd

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone

La Messaggiera

Supporting

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano

Speranza

Featured

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Countertenor

Caronte

Featured

Male

Bass

La Musica

Featured

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Countertenor

Eco

Featured

Male

Tenor

Ninfa

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano, Soprano

Spirito I / First Spirit

Featured

Female

Tenor

Spirito II / Second Spirit

Featured

Male

Baritone, Bass

Chorus

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Contralto

Songs

Toccata

Prologue

Act 1

  • ‘In questo lieto e fortunato’ - Pastore I

  • ‘Vieni, Imeneo’ - Chorus

  • ‘Muse, honor di Parnaso’ - Una Ninfa

  • ‘Lasciate i monti’ - Chorus

  • ‘Ma tu, gentil cantor’ - Pastore II

  • ‘Rosa del ciel’ - Orfeo

  • ‘Io non dirò qual sia’ - Euridice

  • ‘Lasciate i monti’ - Chorus

  • ‘Vieni, Imeneo’ - Chorus

  • ‘Ma s’il nostro gioir dal ciel deriva’ - Pastore I

  • ‘Alcun non sia’ - Pastore I, Pastore II

  • ‘Che poi che nembo’ - Chorus

  • ‘E dopo l’aspro’ - Una Ninfa, Pastore II

  • ‘Ecco Orfeo’ - Chorus

Act 2

  • ‘Ecco pur ch’a voi ritorno’ - Orfeo

  • ‘Mira, ch’a se n’alletta l’ombra Orfeo’ - Pastore I

  • ‘In questo prato adorno’ - Pastore I, Pastore II

  • ‘Dunque fa degno, Orfeo’ - Chorus

  • ‘Vi ricorda, o bosch’ombrosi’ - Orfeo

  • ‘Mira, deh, miro Orfeo’ - Un Pastore

  • ‘Ahi caso acerbo’ - La Messaggiera, Pastore I, Orfeo

  • ‘Ahi, caso acerbo’ - Pastore I, Pastore II

  • ‘Tu se’ morta’ - Orfeo

  • ‘Ahi caso acerbo’ - Chorus

  • ‘Ma io ch’in questa lingua’ - La Messaggiera

  • ‘Chi ne consola, ahi lassi?’ - Pastore I, Pastore II, Chorus

Act 3

Act 4

  • ‘Signor, quel infelice’ - Proserpina

  • ‘Benche se vero’ - Plutone

  • ‘O degli habitator’ - Spirito I

  • ‘Trara da quest’ orribili caverne’ - Spirito II

  • ‘Quali gratie ti rendo’ - Proserpina

  • ‘Tue soavi parole’ - Plutone

  • ‘Pietade offi et amore trionfan’ - Chorus, Spirito I

  • ‘Qual honor di te fia degno’ - Orfeo

  • ‘Ma che odo?’ - Orfeo, Euridice, Spirito I

  • ‘E la virtute un raggio’ - Chorus

Act 5

  • ‘Questi i campi di Traccia’ - Orfeo, Eco

  • ‘Perch’ a lo sdegno’ - Apollo, Orfeo

  • ‘Saliam, cantand’ al cielo’ - Orfeo, Apollo

  • ‘Vanne, Orfeo, felice a pieno’ - Chorus

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

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Scenes

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Guide Written By:

Wendy Silvester

Wendy Silvester

Singer and vocal coach based in the UK.