Des Waldbauern Friedel

Set in the summer of 1730, the tale opens amid the lush valleys and towering peaks of Salzburg, where a modest forest hut shelters the wiry, white‑haired farmer Andreas and his bright, nine‑year‑old grandson Friedel. Their days are spent tending a small herd of cows and goats, sharing simple meals, and watching the landscape’s wildlife with a mixture of reverence and mischief. The bond between the seasoned grandfather and his lively orphan is illustrated through quiet moments at the fire and playful debates about the hunt, giving listeners a vivid sense of rural life and familial devotion.

Beneath this pastoral calm, a broader tension stirs: the distant authority of the archbishop, whose control over the forest and the local church sparks heated conversation between Andreas and Friedel. Their exchange reveals a deep‑seated yearning for spiritual autonomy and hints at the challenges that will test their loyalty to each other and to the land they love. This opening invites listeners to explore a world where nature, faith, and family intertwine.