A skilled musician
According to legend, the gods were the first musicians. Hermes was credited with inventing the lyre, a harplike instrument. He gave it to Apollo, who played it so beautifully that he charmed the gods of Mount Olympus. Later Apollo presented the lyre to Orpheus, who proved to be worthy of the gift.
The son of a Muse, Orpheus was a natural musician. His father was a king in Thrace and Orpheus grew up in that kingdom, where his talent was carefully nurtured. He became so skilled that he had no rival on Earth. When Orpheus sang and played the lyre, even trees and rocks moved around him in dance.
Love story
Orpheus' music was so powerful that no one could resist it—not even the fairest maiden. He chose the lovely Eurydice to be his wife. But their joy was brief. As Eurydice walked through a meadow shortly after their wedding, a poisonous snake bit her. She died, leaving Orpheus alone and deeply saddened. Overcome by grief, he decided to travel to the land of the dead to get her.
Reaching the underworld, Orpheus played his music to enchant Hades, the ruler of the dead, and win Eurydice's release. There was one condition: Hades instructed Orpheus not to look back at Eurydice until they had left the underworld. So Orpheus and Eurydice climbed up through the darkness. When Orpheus first glimpsed the light of the sun above, he forgot Hades' order and turned back to share his happiness with his wife. As he did so, she disappeared from view and was lost forever.
The story of Orpheus and Eurydice has been retold many times since the days of the ancient Greeks and Romans. It has been the subject of an opera, musical compositions, books, and movies.