Ethel Smyth opera: Der Wald (1899-1901)

[Alan Howe]

...forthcoming from Resonus Classics:
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9513808--der-wald-opera-in-one-act-by-ethel-smyth

[eschiss1]

Interview about it in Operatoday this month. Interesting (interview), I think.

[Alan Howe]

Yes, absolutely fascinating - thanks for the link, Eric.

[Alan Howe]

This is certainly fun, in terms of idiom perhaps more Humperdinck than Wagner. There's one stand-out performance - that of Röschen sung by Natalya Romaniw. Luxury casting indeed. Otherwise some of the singing is distinctly second-rate. Nevertheless there's plenty to enjoy here, especially in Smyth's use of the orchestra, superbly delivered here by the BBCSO under John Andrews. Heartily recommended!

[Wheesht]

Oper Wuppertal is showing a joint performance of Schönberg's "Erwartung" and Smyth's "Der Wald". A very positive review can be read in the German version of VAN magazine (subscription required but two articles per month can be read for free).

[BerlinExpat]

The opera will be broadcast on 1 June at 19:05 on Deutschlandfunk Kultur

A recording from 07.04.2024

Ethel Smyth
,,Der Wald", Musikdrama mit einem Prolog und einem Epilog in einem Akt
Libretto: Ethel Smyth

Eine Frau – Hanna Larissa Naujocks, Mezzosopran
Landgraf Rudolf – Samueol Park, Bariton
Jolanthe – Edith Grossman, Mezzosopran
Heinrich – Sangmin Jeon, Tenor
Peter – Erik Rousi, Bass
Röschen – Mariya Taniguchi, Sopran
Ein Hausierer – Zachary Wilson, Bariton
Ein Jäger – Hak-Young Lee, Bariton
Chor der Wuppertaler Bühnen
Sinfonieorchester Wuppertal
Leitung: Patrick Hahn

Given the time allotted for the broadcast I guess Schönberg's Erwartung will be included.
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