Sibelius planned a work based on the Luonnotar’s legend again in 1912, but the final initiative for composing „Luonnotar“ came in May of 1913 from the well-known singer Aino Aickté (1876-1944). The first performance of “Luonnotar” took place on September 10, 1913, in Shire Hall, Gloucester. “Luonnotar” ist not only Sibelius’s foremost work for Ackté, it is one of the cornerstones of his entire production. It was planned especially for Ackté’s tessitura and for the type and colour of her voice. The score thus tells a great deal about this singer’s abilities. The total range needed for the vocal part is two full octaves, and the pianissimo high c flat is a well-known trial for sopranos.

The music text of the study score is based on Volume VIII/1, published in 2002, of the Complete Edition „Jean Sibelius Works“. This volume also contains a detailed introduction of the work, as well as a Critical Commentary in English.