Abraham is the firm, authoritative baritone David Kravitz, who grows in vocal stature as the action progresses...Christine Abraham's Sarah is strongly committed, though there's a certain straining for high notes...Clemency is scored for strings only, and conductor David Angus ekes plenty of trenchant detail from his Boston players.

The wizardry familiar from many of MacMillan's works is much in evidence as the strangers inform the couple of the impending birth of Sarah's son...The Boston Lyric Opera string section plays with considerable virtuosity under Angus's firm direction. The recording, taken from three live performances, is excellent.