“It’s an Old Song”: An Analysis of Music’s Favorite Myth
Level of Education of Students Involved
Undergraduate
Faculty Sponsor
Joseph Bognar
College
Arts and Sciences
Discipline(s)
Music History
ORCID Identifier(s)
0009-0006-2884-6034
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Symposium Date
Spring 4-25-2024
Abstract
The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice is a tragic love story originating in ancient Greece long before the common era. Its themes of devotion, perseverance, and betrayal have sparked the interest of composers for centuries. Continuous fascination with the myth has produced countless musical adaptations, including some of the earliest operas. Despite their common source material, each version contains dramatically different plot progressions and messages due to distinct modifications. By comparing interpretations, I seek to observe how this classic myth has been adapted over time and determine how the variations reflect the values a composer aims to illustrate to their audiences. Scholars such as Jeffrey L. Buller have analyzed and contrasted classic adaptations based on Orpheus and Eurydice such as Euridice by Jacopo Peri and Orfeo ed Euridice by Christoph Willibald Gluck. In addition to these two adaptations, I include an analysis of the musical Hadestown by Anaïs Mitchell. Investigation of the cultural values, philosophical perspectives, and artistic trends influencing each of these composers alongside analysis of the messages and themes communicated by each adaptation provides insight into the progression of artistic choices across time. Simple changes such as substituting the traditional tragic end of the story with a happier conclusion, focusing on different themes, or modifying key story elements completely shift the tone of the story. One myth can become a bittersweet pastoral wedding performance, a heroic celebration of reckless devotion, or even a commentary on the state of a broken world depending on how the tale is spun.
Recommended Citation
Schatte, Becca, "“It’s an Old Song”: An Analysis of Music’s Favorite Myth" (2024). Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 1255.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/cus/1255
Biographical Information about Author(s)
Rebecca Schatte is a junior Music Education major from Jefferson City, Missouri. After college, she plans to become an elementary music teacher. In addition to her passion for music, she has always been in love with theater and mythology. During her music history studies, she has taken a particular interest in the development of musical theater. She is grateful to have the opportunity to combine her passions for her research of Orpheus and Eurydice.