I was driving along one day when this song by by Anaïs Mitchell came on the radio:
It’s called “Wedding Song,” and is from Mitchell’s project, Hadestown, a “folk opera” based on the myth of Orpheus, one of the Greek myths that captured my imagination as a child.
Mitchell has set the story in a post-apocalyptic America where hardship rules the day and the division between the Haves in Hades and the Have-Nots everywhere else is stark and cruel.
The libretto, by Mitchell, is fabulous. The score, written by Michael Chorney, suits the story perfectly. The opera is quirky and profound as it explores the question “how far will we go in order to survive?”
Hadestown is coming to Hartford on November 19. It’s being presented for free by the Bushnell Performing Arts Center.
While the event is free, tickets are required. You can reserve them by calling the box office at 860-987-5900 or by going to the box office at 166 Capitol Avenue. They are not available online.
To hear some of the music from the studio recording, including “Wedding Song” performed by Anaïs Mitchell and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver),visit the Hadestown music page.