(For video with English and Portuguese subtitles go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A3b3joAFPA)

Nymphus: Mithraic Initiation Rite Number Two (2017)
for Mezzo, Tenor, Baritone and Piano

Mithras is a Roman god (possibly originating from Persia) who was worshipped between the 1st and 4th centuries AD.  Roman soldiers brought Mithraism to Britain, where the religion caught on.  Mithraic worshippers were all male, and the practice of Mithraism was restricted to initiates (as was the case with all mystery religions).  There were seven levels of initiation, and though most of the rites with deliberately clouded in secrecy, a few details can be gleaned.  The rest must be guessed at.
This is a reconstruction of the 2nd level initiation, the Nymphus or male bride.  The symbols such as the lamp, veil, and goblets all appear in drawings or snatches of description. The Nymphus is married to Mithras, and, like a priest, asked to be celibate. A Mystagogue, probably a higher level initiate, leads the ceremony.  In this recreation, the voice of Mithras is also heard.  The scene is inspired, in part, by the newly restored Mithraeum in downtown London.


Libretto: Edward Einhorn
Composition: Pedro F. Finisterra

Cast:
The Voice (Mezzo): Natalie Davies
Nymphus (Tenor): Florian Pierre Panzieri
Mystagogue (Baritone): Joël Terrin

Piano: Ashley Beauchamp

New Opera Scenes
Goodenough College
London, United Kingdom
May 16th, 2018

Where to find my scores:
Portfolios: https://portfolios.esml.ipl.pt/compositor/pedro-f-finisterra/
Scherzo Editions: http://www.scherzoeditions.com/?page_id=6957#ffs-tabbed-11

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/pedroffinisterra
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Contact me:
pedroffinisterra@gmail.com

Nymphus: Mithraic Initiation Rite Number Two

Born in 1994, Lisbon, Pedro studied at Conservatório de Música de Santarém, having concluded his secondary studies on Musical Theory in 2013.

He did a Major in Composition at Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa (2013-16), studying under Carlos Marecos, Carlos Caires and Luís Tinoco. He also had classes with António Pinho Vargas, Sérgio Azevedo, João Madureira and José Luís Ferreira. In 2018 he finished his MA on Opera Making & Writing - Composition Path, at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, in London, studying under Julian Philips. Since 2019 he has been doing a MPhil/DMus in Composition at Guildhall School of Music and Drama under the supervision of Julian Anderson, Malcolm Singer and Mira Benjamin.

He studied Jazz at Hot Club de Portugal (Electric Bass and Combo, with Massimo Cavalli and Gonçalo Marques, respectively) and was a member of Big Band Júnior (2010-14), conducted by Claus Nymark.

He also participated on several workshops in Portugal and abroad of Composition, Electronic Music, Jazz, Guitar, Choir Conduction, and others.

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photo by João JB Lourenço
© JoãoJBLourenço

Nymphus: Mithraic Initiation Rite Number Two

Pedro Laranjeira Finisterra