Elysium original pen and ink and watercolour illustration by Rosie Brooks

In Christoph Willibald Gluck's opera Orpheus and Eurydice, Elysium is a place of happiness, peace, and beauty, similar to the concept of paradise or heaven. It is portrayed as the final destination of the souls of the blessed after they have passed away. In the opera, Eurydice dies, and Orpheus, her husband, descends into the underworld to try to bring her back to life. With the help of his enchanting music, Orpheus convinces the gods to allow him to take Eurydice back to the world of the living, but on the condition that he must not look back at her until they reach the surface.

As they journey out of the underworld, Orpheus is tormented by doubts and eventually looks back at Eurydice, causing her to be condemned to the underworld forever. However, Orpheus is still allowed to enter Elysium, where he sings a poignant aria, "Che farò senza Euridice?" (What shall I do without Eurydice?), mourning the loss of his beloved wife. Elysium is portrayed as a place of solace and comfort for Orpheus, where he can find peace and happiness in the midst of his sorrow.