From the Labyrinth

From the Labyrinth is a new choral work, reinterpreting the Greek myth of the Minotaur, the half man, half bull monster imprisoned by King Minos of Crete in the labyrinth beneath his palace in Knossos. Three soloists take the roles of Ariadne, daughter of Minos, Theseus, son of Aegeus, King of Greece, defeated by Minos, and the Minotaur itself. The choir represents the youths and maidens sent from Athens in tribute to Minos for sacrifice to the Minotaur. With an original libretto by Lynn MacRitchie and a specially composed score by Charlie Skelton, the work will be premiered at the festival by the Beati Consort, an exciting new choral ensemble, directed by Morgen Michel.

As each character tells their story, the chorus begins to understand how they and the other three protagonists are being used to prop up the political power structure of Knossos. The true power, however, is that of nature: the beauty of the living creature, the bull, which overwhelmed Minos’ wife, resulting in the birth of the half- man, half-beast Minotaur. Rather than fear the Minotaur, however, Ariadne, Theseus and the chorus come to respect it and the power of nature which led to its creation.