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Der Wald (The Forest)

German

Synopsis

In a German forest during the Middle Ages, the woodcutter Heinrich and his fiancée, Röschen, are preparing for their wedding. The malevolent Iolanthe, mistress of the Landgrave, becomes infatuated with Heinrich. When Heinrich rejects her advances, Iolanthe exposes his act of poaching a roebuck. She gives him a choice: submit to her or face punishment. Encouraged by Röschen, Heinrich defies Iolanthe, who then has her huntsmen stab him. Röschen falls lifeless on his body as the forest spirits look on, indifferent to human tragedy.

Composer

Dame Ethel Smyth (1858–1944)

Lyricist / Librettist / Playwright

Henry Bennet Brewster and Ethel Smyth

Year of composition/publication / premiere

1899/1902

Genre

Opera

LGBTQAI+ category

Bisexual, Lesbian, Queer

Level of centrality

Characters

Not applicable (the opera does not contain explicitly LGBTQ+ characters; its queer significance lies with the composer)

Voice type

Pronouns

Publisher / Rights holder

Boosey & Hawkes (current publisher)

Where to buy / access the work

The vocal score and performance materials are available from Boosey & Hawkes. A commercial recording was released in 2023 by Resonus Classics (RES10324) and is available for purchase or streaming via major platforms.

Performance rights

For performance rights, please contact the composer and/or publisher to ensure legal compliance.