Orpheus

Orpheus was the son of Apollo (or the Thracian king Oeagrus) and the Muse Calliope. His skill with the lyre was supernatural — when he played, wild animals gathered peacefully around him, trees uprooted themselves to draw closer, and rivers paused in their courses.

When his beloved wife Eurydice died from a serpent's bite, Orpheus descended into the underworld to bring her back. His music so moved Hades and Persephone that they agreed to release Eurydice on one condition: Orpheus must walk ahead and not look back until they reached the surface.

He climbed the long passage from the underworld, hearing Eurydice's footsteps behind him. But just as he reached the sunlight, doubt overwhelmed him — was she really there? He turned, and saw Eurydice fade back into the shadows forever. Orpheus wandered the earth in grief until he was torn apart by Maenads, followers of Dionysus, angered by his mourning. His severed head floated down the river, still singing.