Encapsulated Psyche Week 4

The Fisher Ensemble's experiment has been finalized and Psyche, the web opera, their web series that fuses short experimental films with the 2008 score for Psyche written by Garrett Fisher and the libretto written by Thom Schramm is a complete work of art. Seattlest has provided an encapsulation of the individual web episodes that comprise the opera, though it should go without saying that the piece should be seen on a big screen without the interruptions inherent in the format.

CAVEAT: Because the existing score dictates the flow of the visuals, instead of the other way around, the result is a little difficult to describe; the work does not conform to easy narrative summary. We used this wikipedia page about the myth of Psyche and Cupid (Eros) as a loose reference guide; we apologize for any discrepancies between our interpretation and artist intent. If you would like to see the episodes in quick succession, those could be accessed here. The Fisher Ensemble presented their completed web opera last week at Jack Straw Studios. We will keep you informed of any future showings.

PART ONE: Aphrodite (Directed by Luke Sieczek)

Episode 1 "Famine" (1m50s) - Opening Sequence

Episode 2 "Idle Fields" (3m50s) - A chorus laments to the goddess Aphrodite that the fields of the land are dry and idle, because of this they gather at her temple, naming Psyche, and her beauty, as the source of the trouble. The sides are drawn, and the piece ends as Aphrodite gathers her forces against the mortal Psyche.

Episode 3 "Empty Temples" (1m58s) - Psyche is troubled; Aphrodite is found on a riverbed.

Episode 4 "See Our Need" (2m45s) - The chorus entreats upon Aphrodite to recognize their plight, she does, and proceeds to start doing something about it.

PART TWO: The King (Directed by Ryan K. Adams)

Episode 5 "Warnings" (1m31s) - A sense of foreboding looms.

Episode 6 "Oracle" (1m22s) - A seer reads the omens.

Episode 7 "Bow to the Crown" (2m02s) - While the King attempts to extract fealty from the Graces, they refuse, citing their loyalty to Aphrodite. Incredulous, the King first imperiously tries to get the Graces to pay heed to his authority, which they elide by stating simply what their goddess wants. Though he initially refuses to go along with their plan, wishing to have Psyche freed from the coming sacrifice, the Graces are resolute, eventually insinuating their commands into his resolve.

Episode 8 "To the Mountain" (4m17s) - On the way to the mountain, it is prophesied that Psyche will be subdued and left alone in order to be taken by Eros.

PART THREE: Eros (Directed by Jacob Snyder)

Episode 9 "Rescue" (3m06s) - Eros arrives to rescue his beloved and immediately places a condition upon Psyche that might be impossible to fulfill. She can stay with him, but only if she never looks at him.

Episode 10 "Into The Valley" (2m08s) - Psyche awakens and explores the realm of her mysterious host (whom we know to be Eros). She finds it to be a tranquil and beautiful place. The day passes.

Episode 11 "Lullaby" (5m05s) - That night, Psyche is joined by her host, and the two spend an evening in which their connection blooms into passion. Despite the strange condition asked of her, Psyche holds true to her promise, and is rewarded with Eros' unbridled love.

PART FOUR: Her Sister (Directed by Ryan K. Adams)

Episode 12 "Aphrodite's Wrath" (1m44s) - Aphrodite is enraged that her son has meddled in her affairs, and so hatches a plan involving Psyche's sister that will bring an end to their bliss.

Episode 13 "Whispers" (1m02s) - Psyche's sister starts becoming suspicious regarding the man Psyche has been abducted by.

Episode 14 - 15 "Hurry Hurry" & "Psyche's Rending" (3m08 combined) - Aphrodite's Graces visit Psyche's sister and confirm her false suspicions. They tell her that Psyche must be made aware of who and what she's shares a bed with, then implore her to go to Psyche and save her by making Psyche see him; thereby breaking the vow. Out of concern for Psyche, her sister does as she's told. Sensing victory on the horizon, Aphrodite relishes Psyche's pending comeuppance.

PART FIVE: Persephone (Directed by Ian Lucero)

Episode 16 "Persephone" (1m21s) - Vow broken, Psyche begs Aphrodite for a way to restore the relationship with Eros, unaware that Aphrodite is directly responsible for the calamity. Aphrodite sends Psyche to the underworld where she must seek out Persephone, the Queen of Hades, and obtain some of Persephone's beauty in a box and return it to the goddess.

Episode 17 "Into Hades" (4m28s) - Psyche travels to the underworld to fulfill her mission, which she does by jumping off of a tower; the journey is fraught with peril and contains many a boggling sight. Though a daunting task, Psyche arrives at her destination.

Episode 18 "Box of Beauty" (3m29s) - Having obtained her precious cargo, Psyche travels back above ground. On the way, the inhabitants of the underworld implore upon her to open the box and share its beauty with them. She makes it back home, but does she resist the temptation to look inside the box?