Reflecting: A Musical Exploration of Echo and Narcissus
This album of original compositions based on the myth of Echo and Narcissus was created as my Project in Lieu of Thesis in completion of my Masters of Fine Arts in Theatre: Sound and Digital Media Design from the University of Tennessee.
01
A Trick of Speech
In retaliation for holding Juno, his wife, in long conversations, while Jupiter had affairs with other nymphs, Echo was cursed by Juno to only repeat the last of words spoken by others.
02
Waiting for Words
Echo spots Narcissus, who was born beautiful and desired by many, while he hunts nearby. Immediately, she falls in love with him, but can say nothing first, and must wait for another to make a sound that she can repeat.
03
Is Anyone Here (here)
Separated from his group, Narcissus calls out "Is anyone here?"
She replies, "Here."
They continue this back and forth in hopes of meeting together.
04
(May I Die Before) What’s Mine is Yours
Echo and Narcissus continue their back and forth until they meet, Echo reaching to embrace Narcissus. Immediately he pushes her away saying, "May I die before what's mine is yours."
She can only respond "What's mine is yours."
05
Sound Lives in Her
Scorned, Echo hides away, though her love remains. Her body wastes away, until only her voice is left, to never be seen but heard in caves and hills.
06
Fail to Enjoy What He Loves
As with Echo, Narcissus continues to scorn the advances of many nymphs and young men alike. He is cursed by one he denies, that he may love and fail to enjoy what he himself loves. This request is honored by Nemesis, goddess of revenge.
07
I Am He
In a desire to quench his thirst, Narcissus goes to drink from a pool of water, only to find a beautiful being staring back at him. He has fallen in love with his own reflection, but cannot touch it, cannot kiss it, any attempts to reach his beloved obscuring the image.
08
Alas, in Vain, Beloved Boy
Unable to tear himself away from the being in his reflection, Narcissus withers away dying. Echo, pitying him, repeats his final words to his reflection, "Alas, in vain beloved boy."
References
Ovid . The Metamorphoses. Translated by A.S. Kline, Poetry in Translation , 2000, Poetry in Translation, https://www.poetryintranslation.com/klineasovid.php#donation-request, Accessed Oct. 2025.
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Ovid, and Henry T. Riley. Metamorphoses. Books I-VIII. Portable Poetry, 2019.
Thank you to Evie Andrus for her contributions to this project as violinist and collaborator!