A Forester captures a young Vixen and takes her home as a pet for his children. But when she is harassed by the Forester’s amorous dog, and tormented by the children, she escapes back into the wild.

There, the Vixen meets a Fox and has a family, but later she is shot dead as she fends for her cubs. Her children survive, however, and the opera ends in an affirmation of the power of nature to renew itself.

Inspired by the sights and sounds of his native Moravian countryside, Janáček’s colouristic score vividly evokes both the human and animal worlds without a trace of sentimentality. David Pountney’s production – here conducted by Music Director Garry Walker – is widely regarded as a classic.

“… a must-see production bursting with life”
– Opera Today, (WNO, 2019)

“Still has that necessary vital spark. It charms and delights…”
★★★★ — The Times (WNO, 2019)

Originally a co-production between Scottish Opera and Welsh National Opera.