The Widow

“The Widow” is a miniature opera that tells the story of a Cape Breton widow on her deathbed,

reminiscing about the deaths of her two sons. One, Harry, found himself the leader of a strike

effort and was sentenced to death for fighting back in a clash with the police. The other, Thomas,

got drafted to serve the interests of British and Canadian imperialism in World War I, and died

unceremoniously “somewhere in France.” Ultimately, both of her sons died for capital, and after

exploring her memory, the widow arrives at and voices this unspoken truth.