Stuart MacRae's new song cycle titled Medusa for mezzo-soprano Beth Taylor will receive its world premiere at this year's Edinburgh International Festival on 11th August. Supported by the RPS Thea Musgrave Fund and written in collaboration with poet JL Williams, the work is a dramatic and sympathetic reimagining of the Medusa story from her own multi-faceted perspectives, looking through Medusa’s many eyes to seek the humanity behind the monstrous image.

The new work forms part of a programme of evocative musical depictions of iconic female figures from myth, in the Scottish mezzo soprano's festival debut with her regular collaborator, pianist Hamish Brown. Their carefully curated recital is inspired by the sea and iconic female figures from myth from the Lorelei to Cassandra and Medusa.

Alongside Medusa, Beth and Hamish will perform Ethel Smyth’s atmospheric Three Moods of the Sea, Lili Boulanger’s pensive Reflets, Clara Schumann’s thrilling Die Lorelei and rapt chants by medieval composers Kassia and Hildegard of Bingen. There’s also a rare chance to hear songs from the enigmatic singer-songwriter and activist Connie Converse’s last known work – the haunting Cassandra Cycle; and another work specially written for her, by 2025 RPS Composer Cameron Biles-Liddell: The Breakers, evoking Scottish seascapes.

The creation of 'Medusa' has been supported by the RPS Thea Musgrave Fund, which champions composers and performers dedicated to contemporary music. Throughout Thea’s career, she has treasured having dedicated time to shape ideas with musicians. RPS Thea Musgrave Composition Grants support composers writing a new work for an established solo performer, duo, or chamber ensemble – not only contributing to their commission, but within each grant vitally giving them and their intended performers some means to devote focused workshop and rehearsal time to its creation.

Click below to find out more and to book for the performance.