Orfeo

Inspired by a Greek myth, also existing in the latin literature, the story starts in the woods, where Orfeo, son of Apollo and an outstanding musician, is marrying the beautiful Euridice. But a messenger brings disastrous news soon thereafter: Euridice has fallen victim to a fatal snake bite. Unable to accept her demise, he retrieves her from Hades, charming the guards of hell and underworld queen Proserpina in turn. But he loses her again—this time forever—when he disobeys Pluto’s order not to look back until he has led her safely from the underworld. Composed at the very beginning of the 17th century and premiered in Mantova in 1607, Monteverdi's L'Orfeo is one of the very first operas in history—and the earliest still performed today. Eminent early music specialist Rinaldo Alessandrini conducts this masterpiece in the 2009 production at Teatro alla Scala.