Songs from Hades - Photos

Emily Thompson, one of the directors of the summer Mannes Opera Workshop, approached me about writing some songs for this season's performances. She's a fine lyricist and had the inspired idea of working with the mythology of Hades and Persephone. She sent me several different lyrics, two of which we staged this past week, July 19 & 20, at St. Paul and St. Andrew Methodist Church on Manhattan's Upper West Side.

Here we have two pics (click for larger size): First, Francisco Santiago as Hades's butler tries to convince Persephone (Chiara Issa) to Try A Little Taste. Next, Persephone ask Hades (Thad Ferguson) to let her return to the living world, as she must be Where There Is Light.

Will there be more to come from this project? Stay tuned!