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Episode details

Radio 4,31 May 2020,27 mins

Available for over a year

Natalie Haynes tells stories of Eurydice, whose rescue from the Underworld was bungled by her lover Orpheus. How has her story been uncovered from sources that no longer exist? Eurydice is chased by a sex-pest at her wedding, trips on a snake and is killed by its venom. Orpheus charms Persephone with his music into allowing him to attempt a rescue from Hades, but on the journey back he must promise not to look behind him, to check Eurydice is following. Just as they are about to step into the light, he looks back, and his gaze is what kills Eurydice the second time. With Professor Llewelyn Morgan and music from Sarah Gabriel and Sarah Angliss. Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery

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