Persephone’s Return:
A Duologue
In August 2019, Vicky underwent an artists’ residency at the Ionion Centre for Arts and Culture, on the Greek island of Kefalonia. Inspired by the 3000-year-old Mycenean Tombs at Mazarakata she wrote "Persephone's Return", a duologue, in the form of a lyrical poem between the mother/ daughter Goddesses, Demeter and Persephone, addressing their journey from separation to integration.
Beset by guilt and shame at having lost her daughter to Hades and the underworld, Demetra clings to a dramatic narrative which casts Kore (innocent maiden) as its victim.
Persephone relays her transformation from Kore to matured Queen of the Underworld, to convince her mother that the experience has readied her for their collective mission in the upper realms.
“What about the Matured Persephone? What is written about her when she comes back from the Underworld? I don’t think she is a victim, she comes back as the Matured Queen.”
- Vicky Yiannoutsos at Mazarakata Tombs on Kefalonia, Greece, 2019.
A Duologue
Between the Goddesses
Persephone and Demetra
By
Vicky Yiannoutsos
Copyright
All Rights Reserved
PERSEPHONE’S RETURN
The day is ending. The sun is low. The shadows long. Birds settle on a freshly sprouted olive branch, pollen floats across a fading horizon, single pink petals drop through the ancient air. Within the contours of the rocky surrounds, faces seem to reside.
Quickening feet approach, echoing throughout the enclave. Beyond a carved hole in the rock, a castle sits on a hill in the far distance. Fast breathing, feet approaching close, the body of a woman. She slows down, out of breath, panting. Her head appears, bringing her body through the rocky opening. She looks around, searching.
Demeter
Is she here? Persephone!
Are you here?
He gave his word!!
Demetra looks to the audience. She clamours over the rocks, approaching.
Demeter
I’m waiting for my daughter. Have you seen her?
I don’t even know if I’ll even recognise her.
My own daughter!! It’s been that long.
Persephone
Mother, mother, where are you mother?
Persephone arrives, emerging from the adjacent caves, hidden from the sun.
She appears out of a void of darkness.
Persephone
Mother, mother!!
Demeter
Persephone, Persephone. Is it you?
Persephone
I am here, mother.
Persephone sees the audience
Persephone
Are these our first pilgrims?
Demeter
I don’t know them. They have appeared as you have,
by that which is unknown and unspoken.
Here you are now, no longer a child bound in Kore’s form,
but a Woman, returned to me after that fateful day that he,
whose name we do not speak, stole you from me,
ripping you from my very womb,
unleashing your piercing screams and my own howling wails.
A mother, I could not protect your innocence.
My shame derailed me.
Demeter begins to weep.
Out of the silence, Persephone begins to sing as Demetra continues weeping.
Persephone
Cry dear Mother.
Cry into the empty wells, cry into the dried-out riverbeds,
Cry so the long-lost waters can find their way, back to the Great Ocean.
Cry into your troubled heart, so my words can soothe you.
Persephone
Come, let’s speak of the events leading up to that fateful day.
Demeter
Must we?
Persephone
So, I can lift the shame from your shoulders
and clear your heart.
Demeter
This is all beyond words.
Cont ……..
Rehearsal reading of the duologue ‘Persephone’s Return’. Read by the Author Vicky Yiannoutsos
The Duologue - An Opera in development
Amid global lockdowns, Vicky embarked on an inspiring journey to explore the live performance potential of a duologue between the goddesses Demeter and Persephone.
During an artist residency at ICAC on Kefalonia, she worked with two actresses at the historic site of Mazarakata, laying the groundwork for a deeper exploration in New Zealand.
A friend from New Zealand Opera saw great promise in "Persephone’s Return," suggesting it would be beautifully suited to an operatic form. This led to a fruitful meeting with Thomas deMallet Burgess, then Head of New Zealand Opera, where a collaborative vision emerged to develop the duologue into a staged cantata with multimedia elements.
The project gained momentum with the involvement of composer Briar Prastiti, who was recommended by John Psathas, and two arias were commissioned and performed by Barbara Paterson at Futuna Chapel in Karori, Wellington, in 2022. Although New Zealand Opera decided not to continue with the project due to leadership changes, the vision persisted.
LINK TO HEAR ‘DEMETER’S SONG’ & ‘PERSEPHONE’S SONG’ PERFORMED BY BARBARA PATERSON
Vicky then approached Wellington Opera, with enthusiastic interest from Artistic Director Matthew Ross and Marketing & Development Head Hannah Catrin Jones, along with the support of director Sara Brodie, revitalised the project.
BE PART OF THIS EXCITING NEW ORIGINAL WORK
Join us as we bring this timeless myth to life, capturing audiences' imaginations with its operatic adaptation.
The project is currently seeking additional partners.
A concept pack for the opera is available by request.
