Why modern composers still return to the ancient myths of Greece and Rome
In short: In the most violent century in human history, why did twentieth-century artists turn back to the ancient Mediterranean? From Stravinsky to Britten, creators have reclaimed Greek legends, transforming ancient tales of gods and monsters into personal tools to navigate the terrors of the modern human condition.
In a lecture for Gresham College, musicologist Professor Jonathan Cross explores how the twentieth century has reinterpreted classical mythology. He suggests that these ancient stories are no longer merely the property of the Greeks, but have been reclaimed by modern society to help us understand ourselves. This process of re-examination is driven by a desperate need to find meaning, even if the myths ultimately only acknowledge the bitterness of the human predicament rather than providing a solution.
The fascination with myth is not limited to music. Professor Cross notes that influential psychologists like Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung turned to ancient narratives to decode the human psyche. While some of their theories have been discredited, their influence remains; Jung’s work on archetypes and Freud’s concept of the Oedipus Complex continue to shape modern parlance. This psychological connection mirrors the way theatre directors, such as Sir Peter Hall—noted for his 1980s production of Aeschylus’ Oresteia trilogy—and museum directors like Neil MacGregor, engage with the legacy of ancient Mediterranean civilization.
The myth of Orpheus serves as a primary example of this musical metamorphosis. As a legendary poet, singer, and lyre-player, Orpheus is said to have charmed nature, from mountains to rivers, and even persuaded Hades to release his beloved. This figure has been a cornerstone of opera since its inception in the late sixteenth century. Examples of this enduring influence range from Claudio Monteverdi’s 1607 opera Orfeo, featuring the pleading 'Possente spirito', to Harrison Birtwistle’s more recent retelling, The Corridor. Though Orpheus first appeared in the sixth century BC and was already a celebrity by the time the poet Ibycus described him, his historical reality remains an unanswerable mystery.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Stravinsky, Britten and the Lure of the Classical Past - Professor Jonathan Cross
- Also: Stravinsky, Britten and the Lure of the Classical Past
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