L'Orfeo
At their wedding in Thrace, Orfeo and Euridice celebrate their love. A messenger arrives with news that Euridice has died from a snakebite. Orfeo descends to the Underworld and persuades Pluto to release her, on the condition that he not look back as they return. Doubt overcomes Orfeo and he turns to look; Euridice vanishes. In the ending used in Monteverdi’s 1609 score, Apollo descends and invites Orfeo to join him in the heavens, where he may see Euridice among the stars. The original 1607 libretto instead ends with Bacchantes threatening Orfeo, leaving his fate uncertain.