Melia Watras

MELIA WATRAS: EOS PURSUES TITHONUS
for creators of sound (2026)

World Premiere: Coming soon

Duration: varies with each performance

Program Notes:
Eos pursues Tithonus evolved while I was working on my cycle titled “The Mnemosyne pieces.” In creating reflections between my compositions and Ancient Greek poetry, I had the immense privilege to consult with Catherine Connors, professor of Classics at the University of Washington.

I became absorbed by Sappho’s poem, fragment 58, and an image on an Ancient Greek cup attributed to Penthesilea Painter, ca. 470 - 460 BCE, currently in the British Museum. One can see this beautiful kylix below.

Both involve the myth of Eos and Tithonus. One version of that story:

The goddess of the dawn, rosy-armed Eos, takes the lyre playing youth, Tithonus. She requests of Zeus immortality for Tithonus. Once this is granted, it becomes evident that Tithonus did not receive agelessness. (In various renditions, blame for the omission falls on each of the three characters!)

As time passes, and Tithonus withers, all Eos can do is to transform him into a cicada. He sings for Eos as she brings the morning light.

—Melia Watras