Orfeusz és Eurydiké

The opera-film, as opposed to Gluck's Vienna version, is a recollection of the ancient tragic Greek myth. Orpheus, who is able to defeat Hades with the power of art, is unable to conquer his own human defects. Amor is sympathetic to Orpheus' sufferings as he mourns his dead beloved, and lets him know the message sent by the Gods, namely that he may take her home from the underworld if he is capable of not looking at her. As Orpheus plays his lute he appeases the raging furies, calls Eurydice to life and leads her to the tree the roots of which are of human heads. But then she becomes doubtful, as her husband does not even look at her. Her blackmailing aria shakes the loving Orpheus. He casts his eyes on her, and her shadow slowly disappears. Orpheus, wandering aimlessly for years, begs the Gods on his lute in vain. He returns to the sea with white hair, to the place where he once buried Eurydice. (Verleiher-Text)