My overall impression
Finally, something both unique and good comes unto the musical landscape. A mesmerizing evening of music an poetry. Though, slightly imperfect. A small problem with the script where our heroine falling in love with the master never really makes sense. It just happens about 2/3rds through the show that Willow falls in love with her captor after being told she’ll be a sex slave and watching him brand another captive. A spirit appears from no where and tells her to (paraphrasing) “Give him love and he will change.” I’m not sure if she has Stockholm syndrome or she’s just really into the whole Master/slave dynamic. But putting that aside it is some of the best music and performing I’ve seen in a modern opera. They seemed to go out of their way to find pop, rock and folk singers instead of casting people with musical theatre or opera voices. In particular Bianca Giselle shines in the role of Willow. When she is on stage she grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. This is the must not miss performance and show of the festival.
