With a libretto written by Judith herself, based on the cryptic supernatural short story Der blonde Eckbert by Ludwig Tieck. This one act pocket version of the opera makes use of a Chamber group rather than afullorchestra, and omits the chorus.

'Eckbert and his wife Berthe live in seclusion in the Harz Moutains. One stormy night, Eckbert's friend Walther arrives and, to while away the time, Berthe tells him herlifestory.

Walther mysteriously knows a great deal about Berthe' s early life and Eckbert's suspicions grow, eventually leading him to murder Walther during a hunting expediton.

Consumed by terror and suspicion,Eckbertretreats into seclusion and revisits the fairy-tale scenes of Berthe's childhood, accompanied by a magical singing bird. He encounters the old woman who raised Berthe, and at last learns the terrible truth about Walther,Berthe,and himself.'

                 - Judith Weir