Directed by Joseph Muscant
Relayed from The Commodore Theatre,
Hammersmith
(Daventry National Programme)

A Tea-Time Entertainment by Artists new to the Microphone
(Daventry National Programme)

LAELIA FINNEBERG (Soprano)
JAMES McCAFFERTY (Baritone)
Accompanied by THE COMPOSER
JAMES MCCAFFERTY
The Low-Backed Car (Historical Songs and Ballads of Ireland)
The Next Market Day (Irish Country
Songs)
Little Boats (Old Irish Melodies)
LAELIA FINNEBERG
When thro' life unblest we rove The Ninepenny Fidil
JAMES MECAFFERTY
Come over and dance with me (Old Irish
Melodies)
The Spanish Lady
LAELIA FINNEBERG
How deep in love am I Beltane Night
Open the door softly

'Orpheus'
Orpheus's beautiful bride, Eurydice, is dead. Amor, God of Love, has agreed to let Orpheus go down to Hades and attempt to set free Eurydice by means of his musical powers. But when escorting her away Orpheus has been instructed not to look at her nor yet offer any explanation for his behaviour or else she will be struck dead. Act II shows Orpheus at the entrance to Hades. The Furies order Cerberus, the three-headed dog that guards the entrance, to tear Orpheus to pieces. Then Orpheus sings of his love for Eurydice and his grief at parting from her: ' A thousand griefs, throating shades '. The charm of his song has the desired effect and Orpheus is permitted to pass through the Valley of the Blest where the good spirits rest. Orpheus is made welcome and Eurydice is brought to him. He takes her by the hand and leads her away, but not once looking at her face. Eurydice cannot understand his curious indifference, although he tries to soothe her : ' On my faith relying '.
Finally, in the last Act, Eurydice tells him that she would rather die than continue living without his love. Orpheus, unable to control himself any longer, clasps Eurydice in his arms, but she immediately falls down dead at his feet. Orpheus's grief is so touching that Amor restores Eurydice to life.