From Euripides’ classic Greek tragedy and Ellen McLaughlin’s lyrical adaptation, composer Sarah Taylor Ellis creates a moving new chamber musical.

Euripides’ play chronicles the widowed women of Troy who, in the wake of their devastating defeat, wait on the beach below the ravaged city to be claimed by their Greek conquerors as slaves and concubines. Though the war is over, exile and degradation lie ahead: the fates of these women—including Queen Hecuba, her mad daughter Cassandra, and her daughter-in-law Andromache—still hang in the balance.

Ellen McLaughlin’s play adaption was originally written in response to the Bosnian war of the early 1990s; today it speaks to the struggle of war refugees from Syria and around the world. This new musical version gives voice to the plight and the strength of women ripped from their war-torn homes then and now.

This event lasts approximately 90 minutes including a full-cast sing-through and discussion with the creators including Dr. Ellis, Ms. McLaughlin, and director Rachel Dickstein.

More about Dr. Ellis' work can be found here.

To register, contact the Events Office at events@nysoclib.org or 212.288.6900 x230. Library members may also click below and log in.

This event is generously underwritten by Alexander Sanger in honor of Jeannette Watson Sanger.