Inscription from an Orphic Gold Tablet
for mezzosoprano and six instruments
Programme note
This grave belongs to Mnemosyne, for the time when he shall die. On the left side in the House of Hades you shall find a spring, And standing by it a white cypress: Around this place the descending souls cool themselves. Do not approach this spring. But you shall find another by Mnemosyne’s lake Cold water flowing forth: Say: ‘I am a child of Earth and starry Heaven: I dry up and perish from thirst: But give me quickly The cold water flowing forth from the lake of Mnemosyne.’ And they […]ll give you to drink f[…] cred spring, And therea[…]e lord amongst her[…] […]rave belongs to Mne[…] time whe[…]hall d[…] (on the margin:) […] darkness will cover it all around.
Source: Gold tablet found near Petalia, British Museum