The orchestral introduction is very free and flowing in character, and its themes are taken from the duet of Odysseus and Penelope, which occurs later on. The opening chorus of Calypso's nymphs ("Here, O Hermes, in midst of the Island") is very graceful in its movement and is set to a most delightful accompaniment. It is followed by Odysseus' lament ("Flow, ye Tears, since Days are hateful"), at first tender in its character, then changing to passionate utterances as the remembrance of Penelope comes to him, and closing with a hopeful strain after the promise of help from Zeus. In the second or Hades scene the music changes from its bright color to a gloomier minor tone. It opens with a male chorus ("The Bounds we have reached of the deep flowing Ocean"), pianissimo, gradually increasing in intensity and accompanied by remarkable effects in tone-color as the orchestra describes "the thundering of the flood Cocytus" and "the surging aloft of the shadows of the departed." It is followed by semi-choruses of the shades, and closes with a very spirited and dramatic male chorus ("Dread on Dread! Lo, surging aloft, the numberless Hosts of Departed"). The third scene opens with a fresh and characteristic male chorus ("Our Sails to the Breezes"), followed by the graceful and alluring chorus of the sirens ("Come, great Odysseus, Hero of Might"). The last scene is almost entirely choral and very dramatic in its effect, especially the opening number for the Oceanides and Tritons ("Hark! the Storm gathers from afar"), with its vigorous instrumental description of the tempest, and the closing number for full chorus ("Yonder beckons the wood-crested Harbor"), which in its tenderness and joyousness forms a striking contrast to the earlier part of the scene.