Trickster or Trailblazer

There’s something wonderful about the dichotomy in Prometheus. On the one hand, he was a prankster who tricked Zeus into eating the fat and bones of a sacrifice. On the other, he was the father of forethought, champion of humanity, a rebel who defied the gods and risked eternal torment to give fire to his progeny. For me, the mixture of naughtiness, humour, compassion and tragedy makes the legend of Prometheus distinctly memorable—especially when it’s set to the sublime works of Beethoven.

When I came across The Creatures of Prometheus, I was struck by the power of the music and the way in which it captured the qualities of the unconventional Titan. As I listened to the passages that shift comfortably from light and lively to bold and intense, I could easily imagine the many facets of Prometheus. Instrumental solos among minuets and gavottes conveyed the elegance, humour and courage of the gods, muses and graces. I wondered whether it was the music that brought the characters to life or vice versa. Without Vigano’s libretto or dance, would the score be enough to convey the essence of Hesiod’s poetry?

In the myth of Prometheus, it was the music of the deities that brought feelings, awareness and an awakening to the hearts of mankind. Ancient philosophers believed music had the power to define human emotions and character. I agree. Just as Beethoven was able to express the contrasting nature of Prometheus and his story, I am inspired to create modern scores that proffer a deep understanding of character and plot. And much like Prometheus, I aspire to be a trailblazer who champions something meaningful: to make the marginalised works of classical literature current and relatable. By reinterpreting plays and poetry through contemporary music, I hope to capture the essence of the author’s soul, what we feel, and instil in us the necessary empathy to be transported into a civilization that is unknown.