Scheffer Ary, "The death of Euridice", by 1814

"L’Orfeo" whom Claudio Monteverdi wrote in 1607, for duke Vincenzo of Mantou, is often considered as the first opera. In fact, other plays in music, preceded this work as " Euridice " of Caccini, presented luxuriously to the marriage of Henri IV and Marie de Medici, beautiful sister of the duke.

In the original version, Orfeo was killed by the furious menades in the final act, then a happier version was imposed. It made Apollon, the father of Orpheus, come down and led the hero towards the celestial paradise. Nevertheless, Monteverdi seemed to consider Orfeo as one of his major works.