Janos Gereben wrote:

>Performed by Phyllis Bryn-Julson and the chamber ensemble Psappha from
>England, Caltabiano's work is based on a story whose background is a
>little-known (at least to me) law in 18th century Quebec.  If sentenced to
>death, you could get out of the predicament by becoming a hangman or, if of
>the other gender, marry one.

Seems like the province would soon produce of bunch of murderous hangmen or
murdering spouses of hangmen, w/ no people left to hang.

Walter Meyer