Forest Song (opera)

Forest Song (Лісова пісня, Lisova Pisnya) is an opera in three acts by Ukrainian composer Vitaliy Kyreiko. The libretto, based on the eponymous verse drama The Forest Song (Лісова пісня) by Ukrainian writer Lesya Ukrainka, tells a poignant story of love, betrayal, and the clash between the human world and the world of nature spirits in the forests of Volhynia.

The opera premiered in 1958 at the Lviv Theatre of Opera and Ballet. Forest Song is considered one of Kyreiko's most significant works, showcasing his lyrical and dramatic compositional style and its connection to Ukrainian folk music traditions. The score features lush orchestration, expressive vocal writing, and incorporates elements of Ukrainian folklore to depict the characters and atmosphere of Ukrainka's play.

The plot revolves around Lukash, a young peasant, and Mavka, a forest nymph. Their love blossoms in the idyllic setting of the forest, but their relationship faces numerous challenges due to the differences between their worlds and the interference of other characters, both human and supernatural. Ultimately, their love is tragically destroyed by human greed and misunderstanding. The opera explores themes of environmentalism, the dangers of unchecked human ambition, and the beauty and fragility of nature. The characters are compelling and well-defined, and the narrative arc closely follows Ukrainka's original work.