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OVERVIEW
Title: Medusa’s Children
Composer: Colin McMahon
Librettist: Charlie Petch
Commissioned By: OperaQ
Language: English
Producer: OperaQ
Run Time: 50
Roles:
| Role | Voice Type | Range ? | Character Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medusa | middle-high | The snake-haired gorgon of Greek myth | |
| Chrysaor | high | Medusa's son, born fully grown as a golden man | |
| Pegasus | high | Medusa's child, a winged horse | |
| Stheno | middle-high | Medusa's sister | |
| Euryale | middle-high | Medusa's sister |
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SYNOPSIS
Chrysaor and Pegasus, children of the gorgon Medusa, have been living with their aunts Euryale and Stheno. They receive a message from their dead mother telling the story of her assault and murder by their father Poseidon. Rejecting his mother’s family, Chrysaor goes to the seashore to find Poseidon. Pegasus stays behind, struggling with their sibling's toxic masculinity and frequent misgendering. Meanwhile, Poseidon is dismissive to Chrysaor, disillusioning the young man's idolization of his father. Chrysaor obtains Medusa’s head from Poseidon and takes it back to his aunts and sibling. The family celebrates and Medusa appears to speak comforting words to her children.
MUSIC DESCRIPTION
SCORES FOR PURCHASE
Arias & Excerpts:
Medusa sings from beyond the grave, reaching out to her children and her two sisters. She tells the story of her rape by the god Poseidon and murder by the hero Perseus.
| Character | Voice Type | Range ? |
|---|---|---|
| Medusa | middle-high |
Pegasus recounts a dream in which their mother Medusa asks them to find her severed head. They reflect on the harrowing circumstances of their birth and their relationship with their brother Chrysaor and father Poseidon.
| Character | Voice Type | Range ? |
|---|---|---|
| Pegasus | high |
PREMIERE PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Premiere Production: June 3, 2022 (digital premiere)
Producers: OperaQ
Cast:
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Medusa | Rebecca Cuddy |
| Chrysaor | Rebecca Gray |
| Pegasus | Hillary Jean Young |
| Stheno | Rachel Miller |
| Euryale | Renee Fajardo |
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Lauren Halasz |
| Producer | Camille Rogers |
| Producer | Ryan McDonald |
| Assistant Producer | Colin McMahon |
| Associate Director | Alaina Viau |
| Director of Photography & Camera 1 | Stephen Bell |
| Camera 2 | Eric Moniz |
| Additional Camera | Gordon Peck |
| Makeup | Simmie Patoka |
| Medusa's wig | Calypso Cosmic |
| Costumes & Props | Lauren Halasz |
| Costumes & Props | Charlie Petch |
| Costumes & Props | Camille Rogers |
| Sound Recording & Editing | Tyler Novak |
| Sound Recording & Editing | Colin McMahon |
| Music Director | Floydd Ricketts |
| Piano | Trevor Chartrand |
| Percussion | Yang Chen |
| Clarinet | Brad Cherwin |
| Viola | Rollie Edwards |
| Workshop Director & Dramaturg | Sarah Deller |
| Workshop Music Director | Trevor Chartrand |
| Workshop Singer | Emily Lapin |
| Workshop Singer | Lyndsay Promane |
CREATION
QUOTATIONS FROM MEDIA
“The words are singable and there’s some humour to lighten things up. The score helps. It’s busy and colourful and actually gives the singers something to work with. The performances are excellent. . . The makeup by Simmie Patoka is just stunning.”
- John Gilkes, Operaramblings
AWARDS
Finalist in "Artistic Creation" at the 2023 Opera America Awards for Digital Excellence in Opera
Supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council, and ACTRA Toronto
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
MEDIA
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