#4473, Orpheus and Eurydice and Hades and Persephone, Part 2

New Sounds goes to hell and back in works by songwriter Anais Mitchell, Belgian-Flemish artist Illuminine, and poet Craig Arnold centered on the Orpheus myth - including how Persephone and Hades figure into the drama. Hear some music inspired by the Orpheus tragedy from Brazil, France, and Belgium, along with songs for Persephone, and poetry by the late American poet Craig Arnold.

There are a few more angles to the story of the musically inclined Greek hero Orpheus, who journeys to the underworld to bargain for his lost love, Eurydice. In some tellings, it is Persephone, wife of Hades, who convinces Hades to let Euridice leave the underworld with Orpheus. And then there’s Persephone’s story and how it ties to the changing of the seasons, just in time for the arrival of Spring.

Listen to more selections from the folk-musical Hadestown by songwriter Anais Mitchell, along with a song to Orpheus as voiced by the brooding, baritone of songwriter David Sylvian. There’s also a song to Persephone by the Belgian, Egyptian and Lebanese singer/songwriter Tamino, as well as music from a staging of the Persephone myth by singer Mimi Goese and mutanttrumpet player Ben Neill. Then, listen to poetry by the late American poet Craig Arnold, Hymn to Persephone, arranged as sound art by host John Schaefer. And more.

Program #4473, Orpheus and Eurydice and Hades and Persephone, Part 2 (First Aired 3/19/2021)

ARTIST: Cocteau Twins
WORK: Persephone [1:17]
RECORDING: Treasure
SOURCE: 4AD Records
INFO: 4ad.com/releases/309

ARTIST: Luiz Bonfá and Antonio Carlos Jobim, with Elizeth Cardoso
WORK: Manhã de Carnaval (aka Theme from Black Orpheus) [2:54]
RECORDING: Black Orpheus, Motion Picture Soundtrack
SOURCE:  Fontana
INFO: Try Amazon.com

ARTIST: Anais Mitchell, with Justin Vernon
WORK: If It's True [3:53]
RECORDING: Hadestown
SOURCE: Righteous Babe Records
INFO: Available at AppleMusic, Spotify, Amazon.com, Youtube

ARTIST: The Portland Opera; Portland Opera Orchestra, et al
WORK: Philip Glass: Orphee, Act II, excerpt [3:44]
RECORDING: Glass: Orphee
SOURCE: Orange Mountain Music
INFO: orangemountainmusic.com

ARTIST: Anais Mitchell, with Greg Brown
WORK: His Kiss, The Riot  [3:52]
RECORDING: Hadestown
SOURCE: Righteous Babe Records
INFO: Available at AppleMusic, Spotify, Amazon.com, Youtube

ARTIST: Mimi Goese & Ben Neill 
WORK: A Lovely Goodbye [4:57]
RECORDING: Songs For Persephone
SOURCE: Ramseur Records - #RR27372
INFO: Available at AppleMusic, Amazon.com

ARTIST: Craig Arnold, poet and various artists 
WORK: Hymn to Persephone [10:29]
RECORDING: March 2009, KQED
SOURCE/INFO: kqed.org/arts/24316/made_flesh

ARTIST: Tamino 
WORK: Persephone [5:04]
RECORDING: Amir
SOURCE: Arts & Crafts
INFO: shop.arts-crafts.ca/products/amir

ARTIST: Illuminine
WORK: Alas, Orpheus [5:04]
RECORDING: #3
SOURCE/INFO: illumininemusic.bandcamp.com/album/3

ARTIST: David Sylvian
WORK: Orpheus [4:51]
RECORDING: Secrets of the Beehive
SOURCE: Virgin Records 2471 
INFO: Available at Amazon.com, Spotify

ARTIST: Akira Kosemura, piano 
WORK: Illuminine, arr. Akira Kosemura: Alas, Orpheus[1:18]
RECORDING: Dear, Piano
SOURCE: Ferryhouse
INFO: soundcloud.com/akirakosemura/