The Life of Carmen Sylva (Queen of Roumania)

A vivid portrait emerges of a woman who wore two crowns: one of royalty and another of poetry. The biography follows Princess Elizabeth of Wied, later Queen of Romania, as she adopts the pen name Carmen Sylva—a tribute to the forested childhood that shaped her lyrical voice. Through translated letters, early verses, and intimate reflections, listeners hear the gentle rhythm of a mind that found solace in the woods of Monrepos and expressed it in delicate, musical language.

Beyond the verses, the narrative traces the storied lineage of the House of Wied, revealing how centuries of noble service and intellectual vigor laid the groundwork for her later cultural influence. Elegant portraits and facsimiles of her handwriting accompany the story, offering a tactile sense of the era. As the first act unfolds, the listener discovers a compassionate, learned figure whose early surroundings and family heritage quietly forged the remarkable queen‑writer she would become.