Tristan and Isolde

Synopsis

First performed 1865. Set in the time of legend. A ship between Ireland and Cornwall with Tristan taking Isolde to be the bride of the King of Cornwall. Tristan refuses to see Isolde on the ship as he was wounded in slaying her original betrothed though she'd nursed him back. She tells Brangane, her attendant, to prepare them a poison but she substitutes a love potion and they declare their mutual love. Isolde marries the king but meets Tristan secretly, until they are discovered and the king is distraught and Tristan lets himself be wounded in a fight with the kings friend Merlot before leaving for Brittany. Waiting for Isolde to come Tristan is sad but when she does arrive he tears off his bandages and dies in her arms, meanwhile a ship bearing Merlot arrives and he and Tristan's servant Kurwenal die fighting each other - though actually Merlot had come to forgive Tristan.

Our Review:

Simon Thomas - 30 September 2009

The Royal Opera’s new production of Tristan und Isolde is going to divide people. While few will dispute that the musical standards are of the very highest, the staging is controversial and there was widespread booing (as well as some cheering) at the first night curtain call.

One can only think that it is a lack of literalism that caused such offence because director Christof Loy’s personenregie is startlingly good, constantly surprising and freeing the opera from all its usual associations. He makes us believe that these are people crying out from the depths of their souls, with not a gesture wasted or a line uninterpreted.

The beauty of Johannes Leiacker’s sets and Olaf Winter’s lighting is an austere one, but beautiful they are. The imagery is stunning, with most of the action taking place on a forestage before a false pros framing a constantly moving curtain. On the deep inner stage, hints of strange tableaux jerk and freeze.

Wh...

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Latest User Review

DJ - 5 October 2009:

I was appalled at the booing at the ROH of all places! The minimalist set is atmospheric but in the end it doesn't really matter since the drama is enacted by four or five characters on a barren stage (the drunken orgy at the back is viewed through the crack of a door) and the epic 5-hour production flies by. Wagner's glorious music is the thing and it is beautifully sung and orchestrated. Yes, Christof Loy's production is controversial but I don't think there's much wrong with that provided it's not done too often and drive the core ROH audience away. ...

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