Program note
FIVE FACES OF MEDEA (Premiere). This work was especially created for Ulrike Volkhardt for tonight’s performance. Euripides’ Medea is the tragic tale of the foreigner Medea (1. Barbaros, Xenia) who marries Jason through clever tricks and sorcery (2. Goes, Magica). When jilted for another woman, Creon’s daughter, she suffers terrible shame and goes into a piteous state of decline. She cries out against Jason, the most terrible man (3. Kakiston Andron). Medea is considered dangerous and is ordered into exile. Her revenge (4. Let the whole house crash) is wrought through the poisoned robe which kills Jason’s new bride. To inflict further hurt on Jason Medea kills their two children, the most unbearable act. Her grandfather, the Sungod Helios (5.) comes down to take her away.
