The terrible beauty of change: from classical myth to modern commerce
In short: How does a 2,000-year-old epic poem about shapeshifting gods inform our modern struggle with environmental sustainability? By weaving Ovidian metamorphosis with Benjamin Britten’s music, scholars explore how humanity’s unprecedented power to transform the planet mirrors the volatile, often terrifying, cycles of classical mythology.
In June 2009, Gresham College hosted a unique performance titled 'Metamorphoses: The Terrible Beauty of Change.' This event fused Benjamin Britten's 1951 musical work, 'Six Metamorphoses After Ovid' (Op.49), with contemporary economic musings on sustainability. The presentation utilized the narrative of Niobe—a figure from Ovid's mythology who was transformed into a mountain after lamenting the death of her fourteen children—as a starting point to discuss the risks and rewards of human transformation. The core of the exploration lies in Ovid’s 'Metamorphoses,' an epic poem completed in 8 AD. Written in dactylic hexameter, the work spans over 600 pages across 15 books and serves as the primary reference for Greek and Roman mythology. Ovid was celebrated as a master of the theme of change, capturing a world in flux—moving from a republic to an empire.
His work has influenced a vast lineage of artists, including Mozart, Milton, and Joyce. Today, the 'metamorphosis' is no longer just a literary device but a literal environmental reality. The performance sought to envision a society transitioning toward sustainable commerce with nature. It highlights a paradox: humanity possesses more power to transform the planet than ever before, yet faces the risk of losing everything in the process. By linking Britten's solo saxophone compositions with four years of commerce lectures, the event framed sustainability not just as a policy issue, but as a profound cultural and artistic evolution.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Metamorphoses - Niobe - Caution and Trust - Gresham College Sustainability Talk & Benjamin Britten
- Also: Gresham College Lectures
- Also: Metamorphoses – The Terrible Beauty of Change
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/ideas-metamorphoses-niobe-caution-and-trust-gresham-college-sustai.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
