Orpheus in the Underworld malsaine" (an unhealthy odor). In the opinion of Piat, however, Offenbach's "Orphée" is, like most of his major operettas, a "bijou" (jewel) that only snobs will fail to appreciate. The piece was not immediately a hit, but critics' condemnation of it, particularly that of Jules Janin, who called it a "profanation of holy and glorious antiquity," only provided vital publicity, serving to heighten the public's curiosity to see the piece. "Scene 1: Near Thebes" A melodrama (Introduction and Melodrame) opens the work. Public Opinion explains who she is – the guardian of morality ("Qui suis-je? du Théâtre Antique"). She seeks
Orpheus Stravinsky's ballet "Orpheus" (1948) and two operas by Harrison Birtwistle: "The Mask of Orpheus" (1973–1984) and "The Corridor" (2009). The Bulgarian Rousse State Opera commissioned and performed "Orpheus: A Masque" by John Robertson. It debuted in 2015. Rainer Maria Rilke's "Sonnets to Orpheus" (1922) are based on the Orpheus myth. Poul Anderson's Hugo Award-winning novelette "Goat Song", published in 1972, is a retelling of the story of Orpheus in a science fiction setting. Some feminist interpretations of the myth give Eurydice greater weight. Margaret Atwood's "Orpheus and Eurydice Cycle" (1976–86) deals with the myth, and gives Eurydice a more prominent