Curlew River

A production of Benjamin Britten's opera, "Curlew River," at the Church of the Transfiguration ("The Little Church Around the Corner") in Manhattan. Conducted by Claudia Dumschat and directed by Richard Arthur Olson, with Jason Morgan (Madwoman), Ko Kaiden (Ferryman), Andrew Martens (Traveller), Charles Brown (Abbot), and the neXus Instrumental Ensemble. This is the first in Britten's trilogy of Parables for Church Performance and based on the Japanese Noh drama, Sumidagawa. A production of neXus Arts.

A brotherhood of Medieval monks in England is performing a mystery play, which is dedicated to the glory of God. They process up the center aisle and get into their costumes. The Ferryman is about to take some pilgrims across the Curlew River to the tomb of a boy who had been kidnapped and killed. It is said that miracles occur there. Then a Madwoman appears and asks to be taken across as well, as she is searching for her only son, who was stolen from her. After some reluctance, the Ferryman lets her come aboard, and they all sail across the river. When they reach the tomb, the Madwoman gradually realizes that it is her son they were talking about. The Traveller convinces her to pray for his soul, and suddenly the Spirit of the Boy appears, saying they will meet again in Heaven, and the Madwoman is cured. The play now finished, the monks remove their costumes and recess down the center aisle.