The Vulture Maiden
The Vulture Maiden is an 1875 novel by the German writer Wilhelmine von Hillern. It is about Walburga "Wally" Stromminger, a young woman in the Tyrolean Alps, who has a pet bearded vulture and goes through hardships and amorous intrigues. It was inspired by an episode in the life of Anna Stainer-Knittel.
The novel was serialised in Deutsche Rundschau in January and February 1875 and published as a book in two volumes by Paetel in Berlin the same year. It became highly popular in the German-speaking world. It influenced the popular view of the Alps and has been adapted multiple times for stage and screen, beginning with Hillern's own theatre adaptation in 1880.
Adaptations
Die Geier-Wally, 1880 play by Wilhelmine von HillernLa Wally, 1892 opera composed by Alfredo CatalaniThe Vulture Wally, 1921 German film directed by E. A. DupontLa Leggenda di Wally, 1930 Italian film directed by La Wally, 1932 Italian film directed by Guido Brignone, based on the operaThe Vulture Wally, 1940 German film directed by Hans SteinhoffThe Vulture Wally, 1956 West German film directed by František ČápDie Geierwally, 1984 play, parody of the story', 1987 film directed by Walter Bockmayer, based on the parody play- '