Samueol Park, Edith Grossman, Sangmin Jeon, Erik Rousi, Mariya Taniguchi, Chor der Oper Wuppertal, Sinfonieorchester Wuppertal, Patrick Hann - Smyth: Der Wald (2025)
FLAC (tracks) 24-bit/48 kHz | Front Cover | Time - 62:35 minutes | 615 MB
Classical, Opera | Label: CPO, Official Digital Download
Ghostly choirs, wild desires, unwavering loyalty, a gruesome act of murder and the eternal victory of love that overcomes death: These are the thoroughly familiar ingredients of the libretto that Ethel Smyth wrote (in German) for her one-act play "Der Wald". The music, however, is anything but gruesome. Echoes of Robert Schumann, some striking reminiscences of Richard Wagner and, especially in the prologue, an unmistakable touch of Art Nouveau flickering carry the drama, which premiered at the Berlin Court Opera on April 9, 1902, was subsequently staged at the Royal Opera House in London and presented with triumphant success at the New York Met in March 1903. There were ovations and a veritable sea of flowers for the then 44-year-old Englishwoman, who was the first of her sex to conquer the classical temple of the Muses on Broadway with her work. Talent can do anything.