The Seduction of Honorius (2016) – scene for mezzo and orchestra (8′)*
-from the upcoming opera-in-snapshots The Holy Courtesan
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This scene comes from Oscar Wilde’s unfinished play entitled The Holy Courtesan. In this scene, Myrrhina, a very sensual and powerful Alexandrian noblewoman, travels to the mountains to tempt Honorius, a Christian hermit, away from goodness with her beauty and wealth. Myrrhina tries desperately to seduce Honorius with her confident sexuality and overwheening lust, the orchestra creating the space of Myrrhina’s fantasy. These two come together to create a dreamy scene for mezzo and orchestra full of lust, sensuality, and desire, like a self indulgent wet-dream.
*piano reduction and video performance for staging suggestions