Eurydice

Note: Despite the division of Eurydice into Movements, the playwright advises that the piece should be performed with no intermission.

First Movement

Two young lovers, Orpheus and Eurydice, frolic on the beach. They discuss music and literature; they are ridiculous with each other in the way that very enamored couples are. Through the whole scene, however, there is a sense that both Orpheus and Eurydice are somewhat trapped in their own thoughts. Since he is a great composer, Orpheus acknowledges that his mind is always at least partially split between music and life, and Eurydice, despite her best efforts, resents this phenomenon. Lost for words, Orpheus ties a string around Eurydice’s ring finger; he proposes and she accepts. Manic with joy, they splash into the water.

In another time and place, Eurydice’s Father writes her a letter with advice for her wedding day. From this letter, the audience learns that Eurydice’s Father is dead - this is one of many letters he has