A chilling tale of homecoming, violent death and bloody vengeance. 'THE ORESTEIA' dates back to the fifth century B.C., but its themes still resonate today. At once a family saga, morality tale and courtroom drama, it recounts how two generations of the cursed House of Atreus become locked into a deadly cycle of atrocities. To break the chain, their private vendetta must become public as questions of guilt and justification are decided in the first ever homicide trial. . .
AGAMEMNON
The Trojan War is over, and conquering hero Agamemnon arrives home to Argos. But victory came at an appalling price - the sacrifice of his eldest daughter, Iphigenia. Now, his wife Clytemnestra is determined to take a grisly revenge. . .
THE LIBATION BEARERS
Returning from exile, Agamemnon's son Orestes vows to avenge his father's death by murdering his killer, his own mother Clytemnestra. But where can he find the strength to carry out such a horrific deed?
THE FURIES
Having committed matricide, Orestes flees to Delphi. But the remorseless Furies, ancient deities of vengeance, are on his trail and baying for blood. Can the young gods Apollo and Athena save him from a terrible fate?
Adapted by three of Britain's most imaginative writers, Simon Scardifield, Ed Hime, and Rebecca Lenkiewicz, these contemporary versions of Aeschylus' trilogy are atmospheric, fast-moving and superbly accessible. The star casts include Lesley Sharp as Clytemnestra, Hugo Speer as Agamemnon and Will Howard as Orestes.
Each of the plays is introduced by Edith Hall, Professor of Classics at Kings College London.
Also featured is an episode of 'In Our Time', in which Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss how 'THE ORESTEIA' has fired the modern imagination, inspiring artist ranging from Richard Wagner to T.S. Eliot.
RUNNING TIME ? 4hrs. and 30mins.
Public Domain 2020 BBC Audio
Language
English
Format
Audible Audio
Release
January 01, 0459
The Oresteia: Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and The Furies
A chilling tale of homecoming, violent death and bloody vengeance. 'THE ORESTEIA' dates back to the fifth century B.C., but its themes still resonate today. At once a family saga, morality tale and courtroom drama, it recounts how two generations of the cursed House of Atreus become locked into a deadly cycle of atrocities. To break the chain, their private vendetta must become public as questions of guilt and justification are decided in the first ever homicide trial. . .
AGAMEMNON
The Trojan War is over, and conquering hero Agamemnon arrives home to Argos. But victory came at an appalling price - the sacrifice of his eldest daughter, Iphigenia. Now, his wife Clytemnestra is determined to take a grisly revenge. . .
THE LIBATION BEARERS
Returning from exile, Agamemnon's son Orestes vows to avenge his father's death by murdering his killer, his own mother Clytemnestra. But where can he find the strength to carry out such a horrific deed?
THE FURIES
Having committed matricide, Orestes flees to Delphi. But the remorseless Furies, ancient deities of vengeance, are on his trail and baying for blood. Can the young gods Apollo and Athena save him from a terrible fate?
Adapted by three of Britain's most imaginative writers, Simon Scardifield, Ed Hime, and Rebecca Lenkiewicz, these contemporary versions of Aeschylus' trilogy are atmospheric, fast-moving and superbly accessible. The star casts include Lesley Sharp as Clytemnestra, Hugo Speer as Agamemnon and Will Howard as Orestes.
Each of the plays is introduced by Edith Hall, Professor of Classics at Kings College London.
Also featured is an episode of 'In Our Time', in which Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss how 'THE ORESTEIA' has fired the modern imagination, inspiring artist ranging from Richard Wagner to T.S. Eliot.