Contemporary composer Sir Harrison Birtwistle offers a musical account of the old but popular story of cunning, adventure and escape from the island of Crete.
The composer's second and latest opera The Minotaur explores the Greek myth that has survived multiple retellings through the course of Western history. Antonio Pappano conducted the world premiere of The Minotaur on April 15, 2008 at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden.
A Story of Revenge and Deception
The story of the Minotaur begins with betrayal and revenge. Because Minos wanted the throne of Crete, he asked for the sea god Poseidon's help, promising to sacrifice a magnificent white bull. Once crowned, however, Minos found the bull to be so beautiful that he gave the sea god another bull instead. Angered, Poseidon caused Minos' wife to fall in love with the white bull, and she give birth to a half-man, half-bull creature: the Minotaur. This creature was kept in a labyrinth and fed with human sacrifices paid in tribute by the city of Athens.
Theseus, one of these youths doomed to sacrifice, is determined to enter the labyrinth and slay the Minotaur, rescuing Athens from the Minotaur's appetite. Ariadne, the daughter of Minos, falls in love with Theseus and helps him to conquer the Minotaur. Together they escape the island of Crete.
Themes of Guilt and Escape
In an interview available on the Boosey and Hawkes website, the librettist David Harsent explains some of the themes that run through the opera: things aren't always what they seem. The Minotaur might be a monster, but in a story filled with betrayal and deception, the creature is the only character who does not suffer from guilt. He is the only innocent one, making him vulnerable (and perhaps sympathetic).
Not surprisingly, a story that explores guilt also touches on themes of imprisonment and escape: Ariadne, the daughter of Minos, longs to leave the Cretan island. Theseus likewise desires to escape from the labyrinth. The Minotaur himself is trapped by ignorance, unable to comprehend and come to terms with his split nature as a man-bull.
Myth and Modernism
As a composer, Birtwistle is known for blending together the old and the new, combining the instrumentation and musical language of the contemporary composer with the myths and rites from the past. Other works include Theseus Game (2002), a composition for large ensemble that requires two conductors, and The Io Passion, which will receive its German premiere in Berlin in November.
Birtwistle has won the 1986 Grawemeyer Award and 1995 Siemens Prize. A discography of recommended works can be found at the Boosey and Hawkes website.
Sources
"BBC Two to Broadcast World Premiere of Sir Harrison Birtwistle's The Minotaur." May 20, 2008. BBC Music.
"Birtwistle, Harrison: The Minotaur." Boosey and Hawkes Synopsis
"Interview with David Harsent." Boosey and Hawke's Video of Interview.
"Harrison Birtwhistle." Boosey and Hawkes Composer Biography.
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