To love is to look.
After the death of his beloved Eurydice, Orpheus vows to plunge into the very depths of the Underworld itself to bring her back. Moved by Orpheus’s passion, Amore (Cupid) appears and agrees to aid him in the rescue of his wife so long as he does not look at her until they return to the land of the living again.
With the help of the spirits of the Underworld, Orpheus finds Eurydice in Elysium. But as he guides her to the surface, he knows he cannot look back. Eurydice believes this means he does not love her, and she refuses to take another step until he looks her way. So he does… but this classic tale may not end the way you’ve seen before!
Based on the same Greek myth that inspired the Broadway hit Hadestown, Christoph Willibald Gluck’s original 1774 score is enhanced by Hector Berlioz’s 1859 re-arrangement, making this a story that has only been enriched over the centuries.
These performances are sponsored in part by The Gailliot Fund.
Performances
CAST AND ARTISTIC TEAM
Orpheus: Stephanie Doche
Eurydice: Lauren Snouffer+
Conductor: Antony Walker
Stage Director : José Maria Condemi
Scenic Designer: Steven Kemp
Costume Designer: Robert Perdziola
Lighting Designer: Mary Ellen Stebbins
Wig & Make-up Designer: James Geier
Costume Director: Jacob Currence
Costume Shop Supervisor: Roberta Jo (BJ) Herr
Costume Shop & Wardrobe Key: Jacqueline Wadowsky
Head Carpenter: Sean West
Props Coordinator: Johnmichael Bohach
Lighting Director: Todd Nonn
Assistant Conductor: Glenn Lewis
Chorus Master: Mark Trawka
Associate Coach/Pianist: James Lesniak
Assistant Stage Director: Olivia Gacka*
Stage Manager: TBA
Assistant Stage Managers: TBA
+ Pittsburgh Opera debut
* Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist
** Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist Alumnus
DETAILS & RESOURCES
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- Run time: approx. 1 hour and 40 minutes
- Understand Every Word: Sung in French with English supertitles projected above the projected above the stage at all performances
- Parking Downtown: get real-time parking availability
- Pre-Opera Talks before each performance
CHILD POLICY:
- Children must be ages 6 and up. Suggestions and tips for bringing children to the opera may be found at pittsburghopera.org/FAQ.
- All children must have a ticket. There is a 50% discount for kids and teens ages 6-18.
SYNOPSIS
Act I
Nymphs and shepherds lament the death of Euridice, who was bitten by a snake. Left alone, Orfeo, Euridice’s husband, adds his voice to the rites. Only Echo replies. Orfeo vows to rescue Euridice from the underworld.
Amore, god of love, appears with word that Jove, pitying Orfeo, will allow him to descend into the land of the dead to retrieve Euridice. To make this trial more difficult, Orfeo must neither look at Euridice, nor explain why looking is forbidden. Otherwise he will lose her forever. Orfeo agrees and begins his voyage.
Act II
Furies and ghosts try to deny Orfeo’s passage to the underworld. His lament softens and placates them. He is eventually allowed to pass through to the Elysian Fields.
Orfeo is moved by the beauty of the landscape. Heroes and heroines bring Euridice to him. Without looking at her, he takes her away.
Act III
Orfeo leads Euridice toward the upper world, forbidden to look at her. Orfeo can’t explain. Euridice panics at the thought of a life without the love of Orfeo, and, in desperation, he turns to her. She dies, again. Grief-stricken, Orfeo wonders how he can live without her. He decides to kill himself.
Amore appears and stays Orfeo’s hand. In response to Orfeo’s deep love and devotion, Amore revives Euridice for the second time. The three return to Earth.
Orfeo, Euridice, Amore, the nymphs, and the shepherds all celebrate the power of love.
(courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera)
Part of the 2026-27 Season.