A musical tale of sacrifice, destruction and renewal, The Mistress Cycle explores the lives and loves of five women: Tess Walker, a contemporary Manhattan photographer; Anais Nin, the famed sexual adventurer of the early 20th century; Diane de Poitiers, the mistress of King Henri II of 16th century France; Lulu White, a turn-of-the-century bordello Madame; and Ching, a 14-year-old concubine in 12th century China.