Hans Werner Henze’s political drama recounts the true story of Esteban Montejo, a Cuban born into slavery in 1860 who, as a young man, escaped bondage on a sugar plantation, survived in the jungle, fought for Cuban independence from Spain, and lived to tell about it all before dying at the age of 113. 

Bass-baritone Sir Willard White as Montejo is joined on stage by a guitarist, flautist and percussionist – all of whom are called upon to play percussion throughout – bringing the epic story of the runaway slave to life with a visceral intimacy.