...forthcoming from Resonus Classics:
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9513808--der-wald-opera-in-one-act-by-ethel-smyth
Interview about it in Operatoday this month. (https://operatoday.com/2023/08/ethel-smyths-der-wald-a-new-recording-on-resonus-classics/) Interesting (interview), I think.
Yes, absolutely fascinating - thanks for the link, Eric.
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!
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 (https://van-magazin.de/mag/erwartung-schoenberg-wald-smyth-wuppertal/) (subscription required but two articles per month can be read for free).
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.
g