The music theatre performance Hyllos is a completely ‘new’ Greek tragedy, written by the classicist Herman Altena. It is a political tragedy about democratic ideals and their negative aspects.

Hope is a major motivational force in this work; there is no shortage of exploitation and manipulation. The action unfolds in Trachis, where the old king Heracles has died and his son Hyllos has come to power. He plans to replace his father’s autocratic style of leadership with an open democracy but encounters opposition to his plans from Heracles’s close followers. In particular their leader Lykos, who was responsible under Heracles for maintaining public order, has no intention of sacrificing his former power in favour of democratic ideals with their unpredictable outcome. Old- and new-style politics meet in a head-on confrontation.

Music by Derek Bermel.
Performed by arrangement with Faber Music Ltd, London on behalf of Peermusci Classical.

Artists

Veenfabriek
Asko|Schönberg

composition
Derek Bermel
direction
Paul Koek
libretto
Herman Altena
dramaturgy
Paul Slangen
scenery
Theun Mosk