“This opera recounts the story of a young and innocent governess employed at a secluded country manor as acting guardian to two orphan children,” Lafrentz said in an email to the Mercury. “She begins to encounter ghostly reincarnations of a former governess and valet, who she believes are returning to corrupt the children in ways that remain unclear to the audience.” The majority of The Governess’ time is spent probing the reluctant housekeeper for information about the past and obsessing over the felt presence of the former governess and valet. The character creates an increased sense of duty in a time of utter upheaval, both emotional and mental, after she is informed both the governess and valet are deceased.
MONTREAL Luna Pearl Woolf sank to her lowest point last November. The successful Montreal composer was emotionally and physically worn out from living with post-COVID symptoms for more than seven months. Tired of feeling tired, she began questioning her future. “I started thinking, Well if this is my life, how do I want to live it, do I want to keep trying to be a composer where I have to travel all over the world and get up and lead rehearsals? ” she said. The mother of two was forced to reckon with a heartbreaking dilemma that so many people with long-term COVID symptoms so-called long-haulers are facing.