"The ending is beautifully realized – dismay turning to the mutual realization and renewal of love and to that love’s effects on the pair’s neighbors. Pia Freund is a particularly tender Minna, Jaako Kortegangas a powerful and undemonstrative Joel. Lassi Virtanen sings his one set-piece particularly well. This is a chamber opera well-conceived and well-performed. … in a more civilized world it would be part of our Christmas TV schedules."
- Glyn Pursglove, Music Web international