Hulda is an opera by César Franck to a French libretto by Charles Grandmougin. It is set in 11th-century Norway, and is based on the play Lame Hulda (1858) by Norwegian writer Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. The complete opera contains a prologue, three acts and an epilogue, albeit the world premier recording by Naxos has five acts. It was composed between 1879 and 1885.

Performance history

It was first performed in an incomplete version in Monte Carlo, Monaco, on 8 March 1894. followed by performances in The Hague in March 1895 and Toulouse in April 1895. Hulda was Franck's first opera to be performed, in Monte Carlo, 1894. The influence of Richard Wagner is clear, both in the writing for brass and also in the love duets which are reminiscent of Tristan und Isolde. Franck's writing shows his seriousness of expression and characteristic chromatic harmony. The third act was performed at the Concerts Colonne with Demellier and Cazeneuve on 16 October 1904 to mark the unveiling of a monument to the composer. The first complete performance of the opera was by Reading University Opera in 1979 with a later version staged at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London, on 15 March 1994, by University College Opera with Julian Gavin as Eiolf. This UCL Opera version of 1994 restored the Marche Royale at the start of act 4, not included in any of the earlier productions. The first two acts were performed with Trondheim Symphony Orchestra on 22 and 23 October 2010 in Molde, Norway. The first complete performance of the original version of the opera sung in French was shown on the 16 February 2019 in Freiburg im Breisgau. It was released on the Naxos label Oct. 2021 CN: 88.660480-82 as performed with conductor Fabrice Bollon. A revival concert-performance of the complete opera took place at the Royal Opera Hall of Wallonia in Liège, Belgium, on 15 May 2022. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Liège was conducted by Gergely Madaras. The performers included Jennifer Holloway, soprano (Hulda); Véronique Gens, soprano (Gudrun); Judith van Wanroij, soprano (Swanhilde); Marie Karall, mezzo-soprano (Hulda’s mother); Marie Gautrot, mezzo-soprano (Halgerde); Ludivine Gombert, soprano (Thordis); Edgaras Montvidas, tenor (Eiolf); Matthieu Lécroart, baritone(Gudleik); Christian Helmer, tenor (Eynar); Guilhem Worms bass-baritone, (Aslak); François Rougier, tenor (Gunnard); Sébastien Droy, Tenor (Thrond); Artavazd Sargsyan, tenor (Eyrick), Matthieu Toulouse, bass (Arne and a Herald), and the Chamber Choir of Namur. The manuscript full score is held at the Bibliothèque nationale in Paris.

Roles

Synopsis

The story tells how Hulda seeks revenge on Aslak and his clan, who killed her family. The subject depicts a young woman as a victim, her faith in nature, her destiny, and women's suffering at the hands of men.

Recordings