Klytemnestra receives the news that her husband, Agamemnon, is returning victorious from the Trojan War.

Seven years after the death of Agamemnon, Orestes returns to the tomb of his father and prays to Zeus to help him take vengeance on Klytemnestra and Aegisthus. At the tomb he meets his sister Elektra and the Chorus of Women encourage Orestes in his endeavour.

Maddened by the pursuing Furies Orestes is driven from land to land until he takes refuge in the shrine of the Apollo.