Act One

The story is set in Greek mythological times. Her forthcoming marriage to Arideo disheartens Euridice. She tells the Furies, who have warned her about danger from savages that lurk around the area, she is unafraid to die in the pyre they have constructed for her. But Orfeo appears, calms the Furies with his music and causes them to disperse. In a happy change of fortune, Creonte, Euridice's father, announces his consent to allow her to marry Orfeo.

Act Two

Orfeo leaves Euridice alone to respond to a possible call to war. One of Arideo's men attempts to capture her while he is away. She calls out for help, but her cries are answered only by a snake, whose venomous bite kills her. Orfeo is devastated when he finds her body, and upon learning of the event, Creonte demands vengeance.

Act Three

Unable to bear life without Euridice, Orfeo seeks counsel from a Sibyl, who takes him to the underworld so he might find and bring Euridice back with him.

Act Four

Pluto gives his consent to allow Orfeo to enter the Elysian Fields to begin searching for his beloved Euridice. He finds her, but is warned by a Sibyl not to look upon her face or she will be permanently lost. But Orfeo is overwhelmed by his yearning to see her face and snatches a glance. True to the warning, he loses her, and now Orfeo wants only to die. (The ensuing final scene is often performed as Act Five.) Orfeo mourns his loss while a gathering of Bacchantes offers praise to pleasure and love. But Orfeo repudiates all desire for pleasure, and the Bacchantes thus offer him poison, which he drinks. Orfeo dies and the Bacchantes depart for the island of pleasure, but a sudden storm brings them death by drowning.

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