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Act I

The death of Orphée’s beloved Eurydice (Ah! dans ces bois) is being mourned. Orphée asks the others to leave him to grieve alone. Orphée laments his loss and calls out to his dead wife (Objet de mon amour). He determines to defy the will of the gods by finding Eurydice in the land of the dead and bringing her back to the living.

The god Amour appears, and instructs Orphée that if he can appease the Furies with his singing, he will be able to bring Eurydice back (Si les doux accords). However, Amour warns Orphée that if he looks at Eurydice before they return to earth he will lose her – nor is he allowed to explain his behaviour to his wife on their journey (Soumis au silence).

Orphée is anxious about what may happen, but agrees to the gods’ condition; he hopes to succeed in recovering Eurydice (L’espoir renaît).

Act II

The Furies threaten Orphée (Quel est l’audacieux) and warn him that no mortal may travel to the Underworld. When Orphée explains the love which has led him here, the Furies are moved by his singing and allow him to proceed to the Elysian Fields.

In the Elysian Fields, the Blessed Spirits exult in the tranquil beauty of a place beyond all suffering (Cet asile amiable et tranquille). Orphée marvels at beautiful sights and sounds of the place. (Quel nouveau ciel). He is welcomed and asked to watch the Blessed Spirits dance but is impatient to be reunited with Eurydice. Eventually she is brought to him.

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Act III

Orphée urges Eurydice to make haste and follow him out of the Underworld. She, however, is suspicious of his strange, impatient behaviour. She questions him, but he cannot explain his actions (Viens, suis un époux). Eurydice becomes more anxious (Fortune enemie).

Why does Orphée not look at her? Does he not love her anymore? Why should she leave such a blissful place to go with someone who treats her so badly? She says that his cruelty is killing her. As she collapses, Orphée at last turns, only to lose his wife to death again.

Orphée grieves (J’ai perdu mon Eurydice). He determines to stay in the Underworld by committing suicide, but is stopped by Amour, who says that he has now given proof of his love. Amour restores Eurydice to Orphée (Tendre Amour). Orphée is finally able to accept what has happened to him, and rejoices in the life and love of Eurydice (L’Amour triomphe).