FICTION. MYTH. ART.
Orpheus and Eurydice, retold, chords rising to a surprise ending.
The Magic Lyre: The Legend of Orpheus and Eurydice
The Magic Lyre: The Legend of Orpheus and Eurydice, one of the most famous and tragic of all Greek myths, takes on a surprise turn in Nanette J. Purcigliotti's retelling. Orpheus’s music flows through the narrative, in all of its rhythms, melodies, and harmony. While music plays in the background, dramatic digital art enhances the pictorial view of the book. After researching the myriad versions of this myth, the author based her version on Ovid's Metamorphoses, Book X—acknowledging the primary source for authenticity. This myth, explored in in various forms by filmmakers, musicians, and artists, compelled the author to craft her own version. The magicofof Orpheus's six-stringed lyre strung with the Super Butterfly’s scales, plays a significant role as Orpheus journeys to Hades to rescue his bride.
The retelling celebrates the weaving of myth, music and magic, developed as an independent study at Marymount Manhattan College, which led the author to receive an award—a certificate of outstanding academic achievement from the Alpha Chi Honor Society. She extends her gratitude to Professor John Costello, who assigned the Independent Study. And to Professor Priscilla H. Costello for her encouragement.
The digital art illustrations accompanying her tale found their genesis based on the photo scenes in her wedding album. Painted in Coral Painter and Adobe Photoshop, she retouched and manipulated the wedding photos that fit into the scenes of her book.