The Greek legend of Orpheus has captured the imaginations of many creative artists over the centuries. In this adaptation Christoph Willibald Gluck transforms the original Italian opera into a refined French version. Following the death of his beloved wife, Eurydice, Orphée is given permission to descend into Hades to rescue her. He is warned that, if successful, he must not look at her until he has crossed to the world of the living.