The words of Eurydice to her lost love Orpheus, about their separation and her loneliness & despair. This is a re-interpretation of Vergil's story, where Orpheus and Eurydice were getting married, but Eurydice was bitten by a snake, and was hence sent to the underworld, a prisoner of fate. Orpheus, heart-broken, then went down into the underworld to retrieve her. His music was so moving that it entranced all the creatures and caused Hades to hear his request. Hades agreed that Orpheus could bring back Eurydice- but on one request- that he wasn't allowed to look back at her until she was completely in the sunlight. Alas, he heard her and was unable to contain himself- he looked back in utter joy, only to see her disappear as he reached out for her, grabbing thin air. There was nothing more he could do but cry out in sorrow. He was later torn to shreds by the Maenads, and his head was carried off to Lesbos, still singing for Eurydice. They are still separated to this day.

In this song I wanted to explore the way in which music tells more than words can, it's almost magic in how it affects us, and how it can preserve memory and history. Though we will all eventually die, we try to gain immortality through other means, one of which is song. Eurydice tries to escape the pain of her predicament through music, and music is still a way today for us to escape the world around us, and connect with others.

This is a modern day retelling of a story that has been told (through poetry and music) time and time again... but never (to my knowledge) solely from the perspective of Eurydice. A product of society, the focus has previously been mainly on the male character. Now, however, we see the story through new eyes. I hope you enjoy this timeless classic re-imagined.

The Song of Eurydice

Words from Eurydice, who sings of her separation from Orpheus. The song draws on the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, as explored, re-interpreted, and recorded by Virgil, Ovid and Apollonius of Rhodes.

Photo Credit: Painting by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot - Orpheus Leading Eurydice from the Underworld.

(Uploaded for the CLAN1001 Digital Project)

Alone In The Underworld