Orfeo ed Euridice meaning

Orfeo ed Euridice is an opera by Christoph Willibald Gluck that tells the story of Orpheus's journey to the underworld to bring back his wife, Euridice.


Orfeo ed Euridice definitions

Word backwards oefrO de ecidiruE
Part of speech The part of speech of "Orfeo ed Euridice" is a proper noun. It is the title of an opera by Christoph Willibald Gluck.
Syllabic division Or-fe-o ed Eu-ri-di-ce
Plural The plural of Orfeo ed Euridice is Orfei ed Euridici.
Total letters 15
Vogais (6) o,e,o,e,u,i
Consonants (6) o,r,f,d,e,c

Orfeo ed Euridice is an opera composed by Christoph Willibald Gluck, with a libretto by Ranieri de' Calzabigi. It premiered in 1762 in Vienna and is considered one of the most influential works in the history of opera.

Plot Summary

The opera tells the story of Orfeo, a grieving musician who descends into the underworld to bring his beloved wife, Euridice, back from the dead. With the power of his music, Orfeo is able to convince the Furies to allow him to take Euridice back to the land of the living. However, there is one condition: he must not look back at her until they have reached the surface.

Orfeo's Struggle

As Orfeo and Euridice make their way back, Orfeo's love and doubt begin to torment him. Unable to resist, he looks back at Euridice just before they reach the surface, causing her to be taken back into the underworld forever.

Themes and Significance

Orfeo ed Euridice explores themes of love, loss, and the power of music. It is known for its emotional depth and the beauty of Gluck's melodies. The opera marked a turning point in the development of opera, moving away from the elaborate Baroque style towards a simpler, more expressive form.

Gluck revolutionized opera by focusing on the emotions of the characters and streamlining the music to serve the drama. Orfeo ed Euridice remains a popular and frequently performed work in the operatic repertoire, admired for its powerful storytelling and timeless themes.


Orfeo ed Euridice Examples

  1. During the opera performance, the audience was captivated by the emotional portrayal of Orfeo ed Euridice.
  2. The tragic love story of Orfeo ed Euridice has been told and retold through various artistic mediums.
  3. Many students study the classic Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, which inspired the opera Orfeo ed Euridice.
  4. The beautiful music of Orfeo ed Euridice often moves listeners to tears.
  5. Orfeo ed Euridice is considered one of the greatest operatic works of all time.
  6. The soprano's performance in Orfeo ed Euridice was praised for its emotional depth.
  7. Orfeo ed Euridice tells the tragic tale of Orpheus's journey to the underworld to rescue his beloved wife, Euridice.
  8. The set design for Orfeo ed Euridice was both lavish and visually stunning.
  9. Many opera companies around the world include Orfeo ed Euridice in their repertoire.
  10. The famous aria "Che farò senza Euridice" from Orfeo ed Euridice is a staple in the soprano repertoire.


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  • Updated 16/04/2024 - 21:41:24