Venue: Opera House
Dates: August 23-29, 2017
Duration: Approximate 290 mins (Intermission Included)
About
The opera Tristan Und Isolde marks the culmination of the German composer Richard Wagner’s works. This masterpiece is a perfect combination of music, poetry, song, psychology, philosophy, sense and concept. Premiered at Königliche Hoftheater Munchen on June 10th, 1865, this opera is regarded as a reflection of the love story between Wagner and Mathilde Wesendonck.
Co-produced by NCPA, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden Opera, Teatr Wielki-Polisch National and Metropolitan Opera, the opera Tristan Und Isolde was debuted at Festspielhaus Baden-Baden Opera on March 19th, 2016, followed by performance at Teatr -Polisch National (June 12th, 2016) and Metropolitan Opera (September 26th, 2016).This opera is jointly directed by Mariusz Trelinsky， an award-winning Polish director and Art Director of Teatr Wielki Warszawie (a Polish national-class opera house) together with his powerful team.
Synopsis
Act 1
A warship on the sea, on board are Isolde and her companion, Brangäne. Isolde has been captured in Ireland and is now being escorted by Tristan to Cornwall, whose ruler (and Tristan's foster- father), Marke, she is due to marry. Humiliated and resenting her captive status, Isolde does not want the ship to reach its destination. She is unable to understand why Tristan is delivering her to Marke instead of marrying her himself. She calls his heroism and nobility into question and accuses him of cowardice. She sends Brangäne to arrange a meeting with Tristan. Tristan, intent on performing his duties as an officer, declines, and his aide, Kurwenal, brusquely dismisses Brangäne and alludes to the death of Morold. In confidence, Isolde tells Brangäne how she had saved Tristan's life and treated his wounds when he was washed up on the shores of Ireland after having killed her betrothed, Morold. Assuming the name of Tantris, Tristan surrendered himself to Isolde’s care, and she fell in love with him even though she eventually realized that he had slain Morold. Humiliated at being rebuffed, Isolde craves revenge. She asks Brangäne to prepare poison that she intends to give Tristan in a “drink of atonement” (Sühnetrank). The warship approaches its destination. Isolde finally manages to speak to Tristan. They have a bitter face to-face in which she brings up all his misdeeds. Tristan remains impassive and keeps his emotions in check. The story picks up pace as the ship approaches the shore where Marke awaits his bride-to-be. Tristan drinks the potion Isolde offers him, fully aware that it is poisoned. Isolde does likewise. But the flasks have been switched: Brangäne has given them a love potion instead. As the ship sails into the harbor, Tristan and Isolde fall under its spell and confess their love for each other. The last words Isolde says before being brought to Marke are: “Must I live?” (Muss ich leben?)
Act 2
Marke is away. Aboard the empty ship, Isolde is eagerly looking forward to a secret rendezvous with Tristan, who is to appear when the lights go out. Brangäne is apprehensive and wants to dissuade Isolde from seeing her lover, but Isolde disregards her warnings. At the appointed signal, Tristan arrives. After the initial rapture of their reunion, they have a long conversation in which Tristan tells Isolde of his belief that love cannot find true fulfillment in the daytime. This can be achieved only at night: “We were dedicated to the night!” (O! nun waren wir Nachtgeweihte). Brangäne, standing on the lookout, warns them that day is about to break. Faced with the inevitability of their parting, the lovers resolve to die. Isolde: “Let me die!“ (Lass mich sterben!); Tristan: “Let day give way before Death!” (Lass den Tag dem Tode weichen!). They are discovered by Melot, who has brought Marke along in order to expose Isolde's infidelity. Devastated by Tristan's disloyalty Marke accuses him of having sullied his honor. Tristan pays no heed to Marke's reproaches, and implores Isolde to set off into the night with him. Isolde agrees. Tristan stabs himself.
Act 3
Tristan is lying in a coma with Kurwenal watching over him. The sound of a familiar old tune brings him out of his slumber. Bewildered by his return to the waking world, Tristan speaks of his experiences while unconscious: “I was where I had been before I was and where I am destined to go, into the wide realm of the night.” (Ich war, wo ich von je gewesen, wohin auf je ich geh.) As his life gradually slips away, Tristan embarks upon an inward journey. He recalls traumatic events, including the death of his parents, whom he had never known, which caused hime to lose faith in the rituals of daytime and the possibillity of fulfillment in the light of day. Kurwenal informs Tristan that he has summoned Isolde to look after him once more. Delirious, Tristan sees Isolde running toward him with a promise of love and redemption. When Isolde’s ship appears on the horizon, he tears off his bandages and rushed toward her. He dies in her arms. Isolde’s story does not end with Tristan’s death. She is left alone in the care of Marke and Brangäne. Racked by guilt, Marke tries, along with Brangäne, to draw Isolde back to the realm of day and life, but Isolde expires in a rapture of ecstatic love.
