Operatic Adaptations of Euripides’ Alcestis - Baroque and Classical Approaches to Ancient Greek Tragedy

A seminar by Anastasia Motiti (Department of Music) as part of the School of Creative Arts Research Forum.

Euripides’ ancient Greek tragedy Alcestis was adapted by three operatic composers in the 17th and 18th centuries: Lully, Handel and Gluck. Their operatic re-interpretations of Alcestis look back towards Euripides’ original drama in a variety of manners. It is the objective of this presentation to bring these operatic versions on a visible plane where we can analytically observe them, compare them with the original tragedy, and draw conclusions. The comparisons are not merely of the plot, the story, or the libretto, but they are inter-disciplinary approaches on the aspects that make both the opera and ancient Greek drama the ‘total work of art.’
Ancient Greek drama, as a genre, manifested a union of music, dance, acting, poetry, and staging. Euripides's Alcestis reflects all that characterizes ancient Greek drama and requires that we are deeply knowledgeable of the genre if we are to compare it with its operatic interpretations. What is unique about an operatic adaptation of an ancient Greek tragedy, is that music, dance, and chorus return as vital elements of theatre, elements which were cardinal for the ancient Greek drama in its primordial form.
About the speaker:
Anastasia Motiti is a 4th year music PhD student at TCD. Motiti received bachelor’s degree in music performance from Emporia State University in Kansas (USA) in 2016. She completed her master’s degree in music and flute performance at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (USA) in 2018. Between 2018 and 2020 Motiti worked as a flutist at the L’viv National Philharmonic Orchestra in Ukraine. During the pandemic she undertook the long-distance master’s degree in Greek Civilization at the University of Nicosia, Cyprus and worked as a flutist at the Vratsa Sinfonietta in Bulgaria. In 2023 Motiti joined the Royal Irish Academy of music for a Recital Artist Diploma in flute performance.

The School of Creative Arts Research Forum meets weekly on Mondays from 10am-11am in the Neill Lecture Theatre in Trinity Long Room Hub. The aim of the Forum is to provide a space for School researchers, both staff and postgraduate students, to share their ideas in an informal and supportive environment. It is also an opportunity for the School to hear about the research of colleagues both from within TCD and from outside the university who share our research interests. In line with the research agenda of the School, talks encompass traditional research and practice-based research.

Please indicate if you have any access requirements, such as ISL/English interpreting, so that we can facilitate you in attending this event. Contact: weiyi@tcd.ie