The Woodlanders

Little Hintock is a small town, buried deep in the woods where its inhabitants live a secluded and sheltered life. Their peace and calm is disturbed, however, by the arrival of three newcomers: Edred Fitzpiers, a young doctor pursuing mysterious research; Felice Charmond, a woman of social stature; and Grace Melbury, a woman born and bred in Little Hintock but isolated from the community because of her ‘foreign’ education.
Paulus’s keen stage momentum and pure, lyrical style give weight to Thomas Hardy’s story. The Woodlanders is reminiscent of operatic writing from an earlier time, with strong melodic and dramatic sequences that sit comfortably for the vocalists and the orchestra. Paulus’s score succeeds in illustrating rather than dominating the action on stage while the vocal writing complements the conservative manners of its characters with an elegant and faithful style.