"The Minotaur" is an opera with two acts and 13 scenes. It was written by English composer Harrison Birtwistle and based on a story by poet David Harsent. The opera was created for the Royal Opera House in London. The story retells the Greek myth of the Minotaur. The opera first performed at the Royal Opera House on April 15, 2008, and was directed by Stephen Langridge. The music uses a modern style, and the scenes are divided into three types: bullfights, scenes between Ariadne and Theseus, and dream scenes where the Minotaur can speak. The opera lasts about 140 minutes. A detailed study of the opera was published by Rhian Samuel.
The opera was performed again at the Royal Opera House in early 2013 for five shows. Most of the original cast members, including Christine Rice, John Tomlinson, Andrew Watts, and Johan Reuter, participated in these performances.
Roles
Birtwistle composed the main character's part for John Tomlinson's voice. Tomlinson also performed the role of the Green Knight in Birtwistle's 1990 opera Gawain.
Premiere production staff
Theme
From the programme notes:
The Minotaur does not fully understand the two parts of his physical nature—half-bull and half-human. Only during sleep and, finally, at the time of his death, does his human side become clear. Ariadne hopes that, with the help of the Oracle, she can help Theseus find a way out of the labyrinth if he survives his meeting with the Minotaur. She believes she can convince Theseus to take her back with him to Athens. Both Ariadne and Theseus see the Minotaur as a scapegoat and a way to be free.
The final scene of The Minotaur echoes the death scene from Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov.
Synopsis
Ariadne watches as a Greek ship arrives on the island of Crete, carrying the Innocents who will be sacrificed to the Minotaur: a creature that is part man and part bull. Ariadne greets the Innocents and notices Theseus in the crowd. He has come to Crete to defeat the Minotaur.
Theseus tells Ariadne about his journey from Athens with the Innocents. Ariadne believes Theseus might help her leave Crete. She plays a game with him using a stone: if he chooses the hand that holds the stone, he will enter the labyrinth to face the Minotaur. If he chooses her empty hand, he must stay outside and watch the sacrifices. Ariadne cheats so Theseus picks the empty hand.
Scene 3: The Labyrinth
The Innocents enter the labyrinth and pray to the gods for safety.
Ariadne explains how her half-brother, the Minotaur, was born. Her mother had a union with a white bull from the sea, which may have been sent by Poseidon or was the sea god himself in disguise.
Scene 5: The Labyrinth
The Innocents reach the center of the labyrinth. The Minotaur is mocked by the chorus for his appearance and inability to speak. A young woman becomes his first victim. He attacks and harms her. Keres feed on her body and sing about destruction.
Scene 6: The Minotaur Dreams
The Minotaur gains the ability to speak in his dreams. He reflects on his life in the labyrinth and his violent existence. An image of Ariadne appears and tells him about his birth. She is interrupted by a mysterious figure, who is Theseus, though the Minotaur does not know this.
Scene 7: The Labyrinth
The chorus urges the Minotaur to wake. They mock him as he kills the Innocents. When all are dead or badly injured, the Keres return to feast on the bodies.
Scene 8: A Proposition
Ariadne tries to stop Theseus from fighting the Minotaur. Theseus insists on going forward, saying he may also be the son of Poseidon. Ariadne tries to persuade Theseus to take her to Athens with him when he returns. Theseus refuses.
Scene 9: The Minotaur Dreams
The Minotaur dreams again and expresses sadness about his life. He wonders if Ariadne might help him escape the labyrinth. Ariadne asks him, "Are you my key to the world outside?" Theseus appears again as a shadowy figure.
Scene 10: The Oracle at Psychro
Ariadne asks the Snake Priestess how she can help Theseus escape the labyrinth. In return, she hopes Theseus will take her to Athens. The Snake Priestess, speaking through the Hiereus, tells Ariadne to give Theseus a ball of twine. If he unwinds it as he enters the labyrinth, he can find his way out. The Snake Priestess also says Ariadne will sail to Athens with Theseus.
Scene 11: A Blind Bargain
Ariadne shares the Snake Priestess’s advice with Theseus. Theseus begins his journey to face the Minotaur.
Scene 12: The Labyrinth
Theseus meets the Minotaur at the center of the labyrinth. They fight fiercely, with the chorus cheering them on. Theseus hesitates briefly when the Minotaur speaks, but then kills him. Theseus starts his journey out of the labyrinth. He plans to sail to Athens with Ariadne.
Scene 13: Death of the Minotaur
As the Minotaur dies, he mourns his life, neither fully man nor fully beast. He pulls a bloodied sword from his side and claims he is the son of Poseidon. The chorus leaves the labyrinth as the Minotaur dies. A Ker enters to feed on his body.
Reception
In 2019, The Guardian conducted a poll to find the greatest classical works of the 21st century. The opera The Minotaur was ranked third in this poll. Andrew Clements, who participated in the poll, said that the opera has "music of lyrical beauty and pungent transparency."