The story begins with the funeral of Euridice. Nymphs and shepherds are crying for her, and Orpheus, her beloved, reproaches the Gods and tells them to be ready and waiting for him when he enters the Kingdom of Hades to retrieve his Euridice. Zeus, feeling sorry for him, sends the messenger Amore (who is blessed with a spell-bounding voice), to accompany Orpheus to help snatch Euridice from the infernal Gods. During his journey, Orpheus must not turn around to look at her, or she will be lost forever. This performance of Orpheus gives the audience a chance to get a definitive picture of the music of that period. It is conducted by the renowned Austrian Gustav Kuhn.