In the next song, "Way down Hadestown", Hadestown and the road to it is described from different perspectives by Hermes ( Ben Knox Miller), Persephone ( Ani DiFranco), Eurydice, Orpheus and The Fates ( The Haden Triplets). Orpheus then sings of how Hades built his empire in the underworld, using exploitation and trickery to force the residents to do his bidding ("Epic Part I"). Although she loves Orpheus, Eurydice seems wary and unsure whether he can provide for them. Living in a time of economic depression, she asks him how he can possibly afford to marry her and give her a good life, to which he replies that his musicianship will bring them everything they desire. Plot Īs the album begins, "Wedding Song" describes the courtship of Orpheus ( Justin Vernon) and Eurydice ( Anaïs Mitchell). The album encompasses a variety of American roots music forms, including folk, indie folk, country, blues, ragtime, gospel, rock, swing, and avant-garde. While most of the recording was produced by Todd Sickafoose at Brooklyn Recording Studio in New York City, the lead vocals were often produced elsewhere in the United States. Within the narrative of the album, the part of Orpheus is played by Vernon, Persephone by DiFranco, Hades by Greg Brown, The Fates by Tanya, Petra and Rachel Haden, Hermes by Ben Knox Miller and Mitchell herself plays Eurydice. The album features orchestral arrangements by Michael Chorney, who was involved with Anaïs' recordings since Hymns for the Exiled in 2004. Raising a few thousand dollars by emailing her fan base and asking them to pitch in for shirts and other merchandise, Mitchell worked on the album for over a year. Unsure what lay ahead for the stage musical, she decided to turn it into a concept album. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Recording Package in the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards.īetween 20, Mitchell staged performances of Hadestown, a musical based on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Several of the songs feature singers other than Mitchell, including Justin Vernon (better known as lead vocalist and guitarist of Wisconsin-based band Bon Iver), Ani DiFranco, Greg Brown, Ben Knox Miller ( The Low Anthem) and Tanya, Petra and Rachel Haden (referred to in the track listing as 'The Haden Triplets'). It has been advertised as a " folk opera". The concept album, which became the basis for the stage musical of the same name, follows a variation on the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, where Orpheus must embark on a quest to rescue his wife Eurydice from the underworld. Hadestown is the fourth studio album by Vermont-based Anaïs Mitchell, and was released by Righteous Babe Records on March 9, 2010.
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