"The work functions as a celebration of the titular figure's personal bravery, symbolic power and lasting importance, but Smith digs deeper, complementing meditations on her courage with current political criticism ... The libretto is sung by three disparate voices: African-American [Karen] Parks, Mexican Carmina Escobar and Chinese pipa virtuoso Min Xiao-Fen, and the performers masterfully bring an electric coherence and introspective intensity to the bandleader's bold vision".