We study the following problem: Can a classical sl(n) Toda field theor
y be represented by means of free bosonic oscillators through a Drinfe
ld-Sokolov construction? We answer affirmatively in the case of a cyli
ndrical space-time and for real hyperbolic solutions of the Toda field
-equations. We establish in fact a one-to-one correspondence between s
uch solutions and the space of free left and right bosonic oscillators
with coincident zero modes. We discuss the same problem for real sing
ular solutions with nonhyperbolic monodromy.