MANO A MANO is an operatic monodrama that draws on the tradition of medieval bardic storytelling to examine masculinity, mythmaking, and personal history. Framed around an imagined conflict in which legendary figures like Sir Gawain and Beowulf vie over the slaying of the same dragon, the piece blends epic narrative with digressive storytelling. The performance moves fluidly between Anglo-Saxon legend, pseudo-history, cultural references, and autobiographical reflection, using myth as a lens to interrogate violence, heroism, and inherited ideas of male identity.

The work is written and performed by Paul Pinto, who embodies all characters across a wide vocal range, shifting between chant, song, and spoken text. Direction is by Kristin Marting, who stages the piece in the round, placing the audience within the performance space. Live saxophone and percussion improvisation accompany the monodrama, contributing to the shifting tonal landscape and underscoring transitions between narrative modes.