Availability

Score and CD for hire

Programme Notes

Some of the earliest accounts of the Olympic Games come from the Greek poet Pindar (6th century BC) who was renowned for his Odes celebrating victors of the games at Delphi, Nemea, Isthmus of Corinth and at Olympia (the 'Olympic' Games). These victory odes, or 'epinicians', were commissioned by winning athletes or by their family, and sung by a choir of men and boys at some suitable occasion. It is in these choral tributes that Pindar names the great god-hero Herakles as the founder of the Olympic Games, and as the ultimate champion to which all others aspire.

In Mythologia we have created our own Olympic Ode in the manner of Pindar, but with Herakles himself as both champion and main subject. Like Pindar, the amazing exploits of Herakles are sung by a choir, and like Pindar we digress into other myths and tales linked directly or indirectly to the hero. There seemed little point in regurgitating Herakles' best known achievements, such as the famous 'Twelve Labours', so we have delved deeper into the byways of Greek Mythology to uncover some of its least trodden paths.

 

Mythologia - The Reader's Digest Version

Prelude 2 MIN Through the mists of time we glimpse the ever-travelling Argonauts. A beautiful youth comes forward - he is dragged into the water and drowns.

Scene I - The First Olympic Games 10 MIN Herakles magnificent, devises the Games and shows off. He invokes Zeus to bless the Games. Wreath and celebrations.

Scene II - Ganymede 6 MIN Zeus turns into an eagle. Flies off with Ganymede.

Scene III - The Keryneian Hind 9 MIN The Golden Hind dances alone - then hunted by Herakles. Herakles bound by Artemis and her 'troop', then escapes. The hind is revealed to be Kallisto, Artemis' favourite.

Scene IV - Zeus and Kallisto 7 MIN Kallisto alone, rests in the woods - Zeus changes into Artemis. They dance. Zeus changes back to Zeus and brutally rapes her.

Scene V - Eurytus' Banquet 5 MIN Drunken party - Herakles turns nasty and kills a guest (Iphitus). Zeus interrupts everything - condemns Herakles to servitude under Omphale (the Barbarian Mistress).

Scene VI - Herakles in Servitude 8 MIN Omphale treats him as a slave maiden. Pan spies them and falls madly in love with Omphale. (Whips, etc) Pan comes at night to rape, but picks the wrong petticoat and is thrown to the wall.

Interlude - the Argonauts Passing By 3 MIN

Scene VII - Kallisto Exiled 7 MIN Kallisto refuses to bathe with Artemis and troop - revealed pregnant. She is reviled by Artemis, turned into a Bear, then exiled.

Scene VIII - Herakles and Hylas 7 MIN Love duo dancing the 'story' of Herakles metting Hylas. Maenads watch, becoming increasingly aroused.

Scene IX - Bacchanalia 6 MIN Pan joins Maenads and Satyrs for a full Bacchanalia.

Scene X - The Argonauts 4 MIN The Argonauts finally come into full focus - Rowing Contest which is won by Herakles. Hylas looks on in admiration.

Scene XI - Hylas Goes 6 MIN (4 + 2) Hylas goes to fetch water, and is drowned by Maenads of the pond. Herakles goes mad with loss, and is left alone on this island. The Argonauts continue on their voyage without Herakles.

Mythologia

ABC Classic FM (Australia)

Jonathon Welch/Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir

Mythologia

No Venue (Brisbane, QLD, Australia)

chor. Graeme Murphy/Sydney Dance Company

Mythologia

No Venue (Brisbane, QLD, Australia)

chor. Graeme Murphy/Sydney Dance Company

Mythologia

No Venue (Brisbane, QLD, Australia)

chor. Graeme Murphy/Sydney Dance Company

Mythologia

No Venue (Brisbane, QLD, Australia)

chor. Graeme Murphy/Sydney Dance Company