Hymn to the Moon

a chamber opera in one act

Music and libretto by Spicer Carr

Text complied from various sources

Selene, the Goddess of the Moon, has always danced the same dance with her siblings Eos and Helios. It is her duty, but she has grown weary of it. And when she spies the young mortal Endymion, she dares to dream of something more. She elopes with the young mortal and abandons her duty, leaving her siblings. Helios flies into a jealous rage, though Eos tries to calm him down. But it is to no avail; Helios prays to Zeus to strike down the mortal. Zues does so in a flash of lighting. Selene then intervenes, offering to return to her duty if Zeus will spare Endymion. Having pity on Selene, Zeus spares Endymion and grants Endymion one wish. Endymion then asks to sleep with his eyes open forever, so that he can view his love Selene in the night sky. Selene relinquishes Endymion and returns to the sky; looking down upon the only love she has ever known. With text compiled from the ancient myth itself, and using poetry/prayers about the moon from various periods and cultures, Hymn to the Moon is a tale of lost love and finding purpose.

This opera is intended to be paired with Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas

This opera is currently in development. Available for workshop and commission.

Inquiries should be directed to the contact page, or sent directly to carrspicer55@gmail.com.