Icons/Idols: Irene

Nov 17 2021 15 ep. 9 mins 61

Icons/Idols: Irene Podcast artwork

The unlikely story of a child bride who ascends to the heart of Byzantine power. Harboring a treasonous secret that marks her as the enemy of her husband and son, Irene must finally choose her side in the iconoclastic wars. With a haunting score inspired by Byzantine Chant, and featuring the voices of ten women and non-binary performers, ICONS/IDOLS: IRENE is a sweeping story of ambition, sacrifice, and the struggle to make something new out of a shattered world. A twelve-episode musical audio narrative by the Byzantine Choral Project.

Written by Helen Banner

Composed by Grace Oberhofer

Featuring Hilary Asare (Narrator), Iris Beaumier (Cyra), Isabella Dawis (Constantine VI), Hannah Eakin (Constantine V), Julia Izumi (Court), Grace Oberhofer (Court), Lukas Papenfusscline (Staurakios), Shanta Parasuraman (Megaris), Yael Shavitt (Leo) and Kay Weber (Irene)

Music Direction by Robert Frost

Audio Engineering by Nathan Leigh

Sound Design by Grace Oberhofer and Nathan Leigh

Featured Foley Artist Nicole Orabona

Produced by Emily Caffery

ICONS/IDOLS: IRENE was adapted from a stage play to a podcast in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Collective Bargaining Agreement. Its development has received support from OPERA America, New York Council on the Arts, The New Ohio/IRT Archive Residency, The Tank, and New Georges. An excerpt of ICONS/IDOLS: IRENE was shared with live audiences at New Ohio Theatre in May 2021 in the immersive sound installation ICONS/IDOLS: IN THE PURPLE ROOM.

If you enjoy this podcast, you can support our work with a tax-deductible donation to the Byzantine Choral Project: byzantinechoralproject.com/donate

Fiction Arts History Music

Copy RSS

Subscribe on Podcast Addict

E12 - Outside of Eden

Nov 17 2021 16 mins

The final episode! ICONS/IDOLS: IRENE was written by Helen Banner and composed by Grace Oberhofer. Featuring Hilary Asare (Narrator), Iris Beaumier (Cyra), Isabella Dawis (Constantine VI), Hannah Eakin (Constantine V), Julia Izumi (Court), Grace Oberhofer (Court), Lukas Papenfusscline (Staurakios), Shanta Parasuraman (Megaris), Yael Shavitt (Leo) and Kay Weber (Irene). Music direct

E10 - Tell Mama

Nov 10 2021 4 mins

Irene tries to give her new icon to her son to protect him, but discovers too late the lessons the iconoclasts have been teaching him. Seeing the danger, Megaris tries to keep Constantine's loyalty. // ICONS/IDOLS: IRENE was written by Helen Banner and composed by Grace Oberhofer. Featuring Hilary Asare (Narrator), Iris Beaumier (Cyra), Isabella Dawis (Constantine VI), Hannah Eakin

E11 - The Purple Room

Nov 10 2021 9 mins

Irene finds new courage, as Staurakios attempts to use the terror of the Purple Room to engineer a reconciliation with Leo. Aided by Cyra, Constantine tries to bring a warning to his father, but Leo is struggling with the heat from his new crown and its stolen crown jewel. // ICONS/IDOLS: IRENE was written by Helen Banner and composed by Grace Oberhofer. Featuring Hilary Asare (Nar

E09 - The Old Gods

Nov 03 2021 10 mins

Irene is fearful of Cyra's growing control over her son and longs for her old icon. Leo receives a new crown from the iconoclasts, but Staurakios has his own gift for Irene. // ICONS/IDOLS: IRENE was written by Helen Banner and composed by Grace Oberhofer. Featuring Hilary Asare (Narrator), Iris Beaumier (Cyra), Isabella Dawis (Constantine VI), Hannah Eakin (Constantine V), Julia I

E08 - A New Crown

Oct 27 2021 9 mins

Four years after crushing the icon, Leo rules alone, while Irene is locked in her rooms and kept from her son. Staurakios fears the rising power of the iconoclasts led by Cyra's brothers, but a sick Leo pushes him away. // ICONS/IDOLS: IRENE was written by Helen Banner and composed by Grace Oberhofer. Featuring Hilary Asare (Narrator), Iris Beaumier (Cyra), Isabella Dawis (Constant

E07 - A Doll

Oct 20 2021 9 mins

Leo and Irene celebrate their new happiness as they take power, but Cyra uses baby Constantine's innocence to devastating effect. // ICONS/IDOLS: IRENE was written by Helen Banner and composed by Grace Oberhofer. Featuring Hilary Asare (Narrator), Iris Beaumier (Cyra), Isabella Dawis (Constantine VI), Hannah Eakin (Constantine V), Julia Izumi (Court), Grace Oberhofer (Court), Lukas

E06 - Two Flocks of Birds

Oct 13 2021 9 mins

The Old Emperor is dead and Leo and Irene must make every rival swear loyalty to them as the new rulers. Cyra continues her quest to prove that Irene has a forbidden icon, while Staurakios warns Leo about being too accommodating to icon lovers. // ICONS/IDOLS: IRENE was written by Helen Banner and composed by Grace Oberhofer. Featuring Hilary Asare (Narrator), Iris Beaumier (Cyra),

E05 - Peek-a-Boo

Oct 06 2021 10 mins

Five years on, a sick Irene and Leo care for their son, Constantine VI, while trying to resist the quickening preparations for war. As the court splits into iconophiles and iconoclasts, Staurakios tries to contain the chaos, whilst Cyra reveals Irene's secret to an unexpectedly hostile audience. // ICONS/IDOLS: IRENE was written by Helen Banner and composed by Grace Oberhofer. Feat

E03 - Love All Your Ladies

Sep 29 2021 14 mins

A newly-crowned Irene struggles to impose her will on her aristocratic ladies, but makes a new friend in the eunuch Staurakios. The Emperor grows angry at foolish words spoken by Megaris, but is mollified by some unexpected news. // ICONS/IDOLS: IRENE was written by Helen Banner and composed by Grace Oberhofer. Featuring Hilary Asare (Narrator), Iris Beaumier (Cyra), Isabella Dawis

E04 - The Stranger

Sep 29 2021 7 mins

A scared Irene is taken to the crowded Purple Room to give birth to her son in front of the whole court. Cyra makes a shocking discovery that reignites her hostility towards her mistress. // ICONS/IDOLS: IRENE was written by Helen Banner and composed by Grace Oberhofer. Featuring Hilary Asare (Narrator), Iris Beaumier (Cyra), Isabella Dawis (Constantine VI), Hannah Eakin (Constanti