HYPATIA

Alan Olejniczak (Librettist)

An Opera in development

Hypatia is a one-act contemporary opera that explores the life and tragic death of Hyaptia of Alexandria. This opera explores how powerful women are silenced under religious dogma and authoritarianism. 

Hypatia of Alexandra (350-370 to 415 C.E.) was an extraordinary woman and a leading Neoplatonic philosopher, mathematician, and teacher in Roman-ruled Alexandria. Hypatia lived at a time of rising Christian Zealotry that led to the massacre of pagans and Jews in the city. Hypatia was eventually targeted and was brutally murdered by the Christian mob. Hypatia’s death has become a powerful feminist symbol in the face of ignorance and religious intolerance. Sadly, most of her academic work was destroyed and her death marks the end of the classical period.