Persephone
Illustration by Camaryn.
Why this story?
Persephone rests under a tree in her mother’s garden.
In deference to the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, Persephone is a feminist retelling of the classic Greek myth inspired by the works of Homer and Ovid. Taking place after Hades kidnaps Persephone from her mother, Demeter, the narrative alternates between her time spent in Demeter's Garden on Earth, and Hades' Underworld. The opera strives to reevaluate the ancient tale through a modern lens dealing with themes concerning sexual/emotional trauma, toxic masculinity, identity, and the cycle of abuse.
Taking place after Hades kidnaps Persephone from her mother, Demeter, the narrative alternates between her time spent in Demeter's Garden on Earth, and Hades' Underworld. The opera explores Persephone’s troubled relationship with Demeter and with herself. Later, after falling in love with the mortal Adonis, Persephone is manipulated into being the impetus of his death. Realizing her mistake, Persephone saves Adonis’ soul. Although still bound to Hades by marriage, Persephone decides to become the light for others that she needed long ago.
Persephone was successfully Kickstarted in 2019 by 36 backers. On April 30th, it had a concert premiere at SUNY Purchase. The video of the premier can be viewed here or on YouTube.
The roles and the musicians who portrayed them
Persephone
Persephone begins the opera with fresh memories of the abuse she endured at Hades’ hand. She doesn’t know how to interpret Demeter’s attitude, and tries to brush off her mother’s questions. Through the opera, Persephone questions if she is in fact the one to blame for what happened to her. She eventually begins the process of rejecting her own self-accusations and overcomes her abusive relationship with Hades.
Persephone was played by Laura Jobin-Acosta.
Hades
Hades’ entire goal is to convince Persephone that she is the one to blame for her own fate. That she let it happen. He gaslights Persephone and makes the claim that he, and only he, knows who she truly is, what she desires. It is his own arrogance that becomes his earned downfall…
Hades was played by Zachary James Ritter
Demeter
Simply wanting to help her daughter, before known as Kore, and now Persephone, Demeter doesn’t know how to approach the situation. Demeter just wants to convince Persephone that she is safe now. Damming the gods themselves, Demeter prays that daughters rise up and rule, and that they no longer show deference to Zeus and Hades. Until then, Demeter continues to try and convince Persephone that she will be okay.
Demeter was played by Casey Cronan.
A First for Many
This opera was not just a first for Kristin, but also for librettist Olivia Roberts (right).
As a life long lover of Greek mythology, Olivia felt right at home adapting the story of Persephone. It was a chance to revisit the story she had loved growing up and reimagine it through a modern lens. As a writer who typically writes screenplays and short stories, the chance to write a libretto was both intimidating and thrilling. A new creative challenge, it proved to be one her favorite projects to date. Working with the composer, Kristin Kirk, was a joy and felt like a very natural partnership, one that will hopefully be the first of many future collaborations.
Persephone deals with some very tough subjects, but it was important to both her and Kris that the opera not shy away from modern issues regarding domestic violence and sexual abuse She hopes that audiences of Persephone enjoy the opera and that it inspires thoughtful dialogue.