Brief character descriptions are included with each video and, of course, there’s limitless information about the story and these classic characters on the web. Competitors may want to do some further research in order to connect the characteristics of the ancient characters to the characteristics in someone making news today.
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CLYTEMNESTRA is a powerful Queen. She is sister of most beautiful woman in the world (Helen). Betrayed by her husband, she takes her husband’s enemy as a lover. She murders husband and is finally murdered by her own son.
In this solo, Clytemnestra anticipates murdering her husband.
Fang-yi Sheu as Clytemnestra
Clytemnestra from Martha Graham on Vimeo.
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CASSANDRA is a Prophetess and mistress of King Agamemnon. She warns the people that the King is being murdered, but is not believed.
In this solo, Cassandra sees visions of evil and shrieks a warning that the King is being murdered.
Blakeley White-McGuire as Cassandra
Cassandra from Martha Graham on Vimeo
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HELEN OF TROY, considered the most beautiful woman in the world, leaves husband for another. She inspires disaster as her first husband stalks her and is relentless in his revenge.
In this solo, Helen laments the death and destruction that has been caused by her beauty.
Carrie Ellmore-Tallitsch as Helen of Troy
Helen of Troy from Martha Graham on Vimeo
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ELECTRA is a vengeful daughter who hates her mother, and loves her father. She convinces her brother to murder their mother to avenge their father’s death.
In this solo Electra welcomes her father upon his return from war and anticipates how he will punish her mother.
Jennifer DePalo as Electra
Electra from Martha Graham on Vimeo
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MESSENGER OF DEATH is not a specific character from Greek Drama but was created by Martha Graham to create an atmosphere of foreboding and inevitability. This abstract figure can represent many things: Fate, Fear, Guilt, Inevitability, Karma, etc.
In this solo, the Messenger of Death sets the tone for Graham’s telling of the Agamemnon saga in Clytemnestra.
Kerville Jack as Messanger of Death
Messenger of Death from Martha Graham on Vimeo
