USC Fall '21 Opera Artists

A street minister and two of his “acolytes” have come to LA’s Skid Row to feed and minister to the homeless. They share a parable that features a Ferryman and a Traveler. They are interrupted, however, by a woman who is seemingly raving, a “Madwoman”. She is searching for her lost son. All board an imaginary ferry boat, propelled by the Ferryman, and begin the journey across the Curlew River. The Ferryman tells the story of a trip that took place exactly one year before: a crude, mean foreigner had a boy with him to whom he was very abusive. When the boat had crossed the Curlew River, the boy was very ill and laid on the ground. The foreigner abandoned him there. The child told his story of abduction and abuse and died. He was buried there and his burial site has become a place of reverence and miracles. Everybody is moved by the story. The Madwoman, who has remained motionless, reveals that the child was her son. The Ferryman shows the Madwoman where the child is buried. All start to sing a prayer over which they hear a child’s voice. The boy’s spirit appears and offers peace to his mother and all congregated. The Madwoman relaxes for the first time and leaves, healed. All realize that something distinctly magical has taken place. The Abbott, however, is not sure if he has truly reached any of the people he is trying to help.