Wold, Erling – “Little Girl Dreams of Taking..” – [Minmax Records]

Thurston Hunger   3/31/2015   A Library, CD

A disturbingly beautiful (and vice versa) modern
opera. Guided by a narrator like a half-crazed yet
erudite carney, Jim Cave rants (for me recalling
John Fiedler’s Jack the Ripper character on that
memorable Star Trek.) His lurid fascination is key,
as we hear a tale every bit as gruesome, and yet
compelling. Both for us the audience, and our
heroine who’s compulsion for devotional love beckons
her over a torturous waste land of the corrupted
and corrupting. She splits mentally and vocally,
her dual name a fraught coupling. Odder couplings
follow, strange dreams and dances. The reference
machine breaks on this outstanding CD, T.S. Eliot
crossed with Charming Hostess? Bang-on-a-Can and
Erik Belgum in sackcloth? Well we have added some
music by the Paul Dresher ensemble (who score
in the shadows here) and the twisted undergarments
of the plot are swiped from Max Ernst. Powerful
airs and arias, tie your listeners to the mast
with this opera. Proud to add this one. -Hunger