
TRANSLATOR’S NOTE.
PERSONS OF THE PLAY.
ACT I.
ACT II.
ACT III.
ACT IV.
ACT V.
Transcriber’s Note
In a comfortably furnished study belonging to a self‑made merchant, a modest household is about to be shaken by the unexpected arrival of an old friend. The scene introduces a proud businessman, his absent son returning home, and the weary former lieutenant Old Ekdal, whose presence hints at past debts and secret agreements. As servants bustle and polite conversation masks unease, the audience senses a fragile balance between wealth, respectability and the unresolved histories that bind the characters.
When Gregers Werle, the son driven by a fierce belief in honesty, learns of the Ekdal family’s quiet domestic life, he is drawn toward the mystery surrounding their modest home, where a captive wild duck has become an odd centerpiece. The drama gently probes whether exposing hidden truths will liberate or destroy those who cling to comforting myths. Listeners are invited to watch the delicate dance of conscience, pride, and compassion unfold in Ibsen’s finely crafted dialogue.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (175K characters)
Release date
2024-05-15
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1828–1906
A master of modern drama, this Norwegian playwright reshaped the stage with fearless, realistic plays that challenged social rules and private hypocrisies. His work still feels startlingly alive in classics like A Doll’s House, Ghosts, and Hedda Gabler.
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