Hulda

Synopsis

Act one

In front of Hustawick’s house. Evening.

Hulda awaits the return of her father and brothers, who have gone to the mountains to hunt. But her mother dreads the vengeance of the Aslak clan, their enemies. The two women are praying for the safe return of their menfolk when suddenly a baleful horn call resounds: it is the Aslaks, led by Gudleik, who have slaughtered Hustawick and his sons. Taken prisoner, Hulda solemnly swears to avenge her loved ones.

Act two

The palace of the Aslaks, two years later.

A group of maidens are gathering furs while they sing. A double wedding is to be celebrated this very day: Thördis is to marry Gunnar while Gudleik will wed Hulda. In spite of the festive mood, Gudleik’s mother Gudrun expresses her dread of his sombre betrothed. Enter Swanhilde, distressed at being abandoned by her fiancé Eiolf, a knight of the King’s court. Gudleik quarrels with his brothers, who beg him to renounce his union with their enemy Hulda, while he accuses them of jealousy. Hulda enters and, alone on stage, confesses her love for Eiolf. As the festivities begin with a large-scale mock battle, Gudleik notices how his fiancée is troubled when she sees the knight. She then challenges the two men: she will bestow her hand on the winner of a duel between them. Eiolf triumphs and kills Gudleik; everyone mourns the death of the eldest son of the Aslak clan.

Act three

The top of a crenellated terrace. A summer evening.

Gudrun reveals to her husband Aslak that she has already seen Hulda in Eiolf’s arms on the terrace. And indeed, the young woman now appears, awaiting her lover, and fearful for a moment that he is unfaithful to her with Swanhilde. When he arrives, however, their reunion is rapturous, and they decide to flee together to Iceland, the home of Hulda’s ancestors. Aslak is determined to slay Eiolf, but mistakenly kills his own son Arne.

Act four

The great park of the royal palace, the following spring. Night. 

The King and Queen are acclaimed by the crowd, who have come to attend a grand allegorical entertainment representing the triumph of Spring over Winter. A ballet of elves and undines celebrates the return of love. But while everyone else rejoices, Swanhilde weeps at Eiolf’s betrayal. Thördis promises to bring him to his senses. When Eiolf comes to her, Swanhilde reminds him of their past love. This rekindles his former feelings and he ardently renews his vows. But Hulda overhears their joyful transports; maddened by grief, she sets up an ambush with the Aslaks, who are eager to avenge their brother’s death.

Epilogue 

A cliff overlooking the sea. Evening.

Fisherfolk acclaim the joys of nature in springtime while Hulda and the Aslaks lie in wait for Eiolf. When he enters, he tells Hulda that their love is irrevocably stained with Gudleik’s blood and that he must leave her. At the moment when she bids him farewell, the Aslaks strike him dead and then try to kill her too, but Eiolf’s followers chase them away. In front of the crowd that has rushed in, Hulda throws herself into the sea in order to find at last the peace she longs for.