While it may be true that the author improved this work in the French version, it is not true in every case. There is some question whether the overture existed in the Italian score. It is generally believed that it did, but there are old copies of this version in existence and they begin the opera with the funeral chorus and show no overture at all. This overture, although the _Mercure de France_ treats it as a 'beautiful symphonic piece which serves as a good introduction to the work,' in reality does not resemble the style of the rest at all. It in no way prepares for that admirable chorus at the beginning–unequaled of its kind–which Orpheus"s broken hearted cry of 'Eurydice! Eurydice!' makes so pathetic.