Tristan und Isolde (Tristan and Isolde) is a three-act music drama composed by Richard Wagner (May 22, 1813 – February 13, 1883). He also wrote the libretto in German (1857), and the music between 1857-1859. It was first performed in June 10, 1865 with Hans von Bülow conducting.
The opera premiered six years after its completion, in 1865. Wagner called it a "music drama," being, the usual operatic pattern of arias, duets, and choruses was replaced by what he referred to as "endless melodizing," and also, the orchestra played its part with equal importance as the singers. However, all the essential elements of classic Wagnerian opera remain intact.
Tristan and Isolde was inspired by Wagner's affair with poet-writer Mathilde Wesendonck, the wife of his benefactor Otto Wesendonck, a wealthy silk trader, and the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer. Tristan and Isolde is regarded as one of the heights of the operatic repertory. It influenced other prominent opera composers like Mahler, Richard Strauss and Schoenberg.
Cast of Characters
- Tristan (tenor)
- Isolde (soprano)
- Marke, King of Cornwall (baritone)
- Kurwenal, Tristan's servant (baritone)
- Brangaene, Isolde's maid (soprano)
- Melot, a courtier
- Shepherd (tenor)
- Steersman (baritone)
- Voice of Young Sailor (tenor)
- Sailots, knights, esquieres
Plot Summary / Synopsis
Act I.
Aboard the ship of Tristan's, Isolde, a princess of Ireland, and her handmaid, Brangaene, are being taken to Cornwall, where Isolde is to be married to King Marke. Isolde's fiancé, Morold, had been killed by Tristan, whom she had unknowingly nursed back to health. Realizing who he is, Isolde resolves to kill him, but instead, she falls in love. Through Brangaene, Isolde sends an order for Tristan to appear before her. He refuses.
Furious, Isolde decides she's going to kill Tristan, then herself. When he eventually appears, she offers him a drink expecting it to be poisoned. He accepts it, and Isolde drinks the other half. Both of them didn't die. Brangaene has substituted the poison with love potion. As they gazed into each other's eyes, the sailors announce that land has been sighted.
Act II.
Tristan and Isolde have planned to meet at night while King Marke is off hunting. Alone at last, they declare their passion for each other. He propehetically compares night to death and says that only in the long night of death can they be eternally united. As the day breaks, King Marke, led by Tristan's treacherous friend Melot, returns to find Tristan and Isolde in each others arms. Melot and Tristan fight, and Tristan is fatally wounded.
Act III.
Tristan is brought home to Brittany by his servant Kurwenal. A ship bringing Isolde to him is sighted. In his excitement, Tristan removes the bandages from his bad wounds. Isolde is too late. As she embraces him, he dies. A ship bearing Melot, King Marke, and Brangaene arrives. Kurwenal furiously attacks Melot to avenge Tristan's death. In the fight, both are killed.
Marke explains to Isolde that Brangaene has told him about the love potion, that he has come to unite the lovers, not to separate them. Isolde dies of a broken heart, holding Tristan's body in her arms.
Operas by Richard Wagner
- Ban on Love, 1836
- Rienzi, 1842
- Der fliegende Hollánder (The Flying Dutchman), 1843
- Tannhäuser, 1845
- Lohengrin, 1848
- Das Rheinhold, 1854
- Die Walküre (The Valkyris), 1856
- Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (The Mastersingers of Nuremberg), 1867
- Siegfried, 1871
- Götterdämmerung (The Twilight of the Gods), completes the operatic cycle der ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelungs), 1874
- Parsifal, music drama, 1882
Sources:
Concise Guide to Opera, edited by Amanda Holden, Penguin, (2005)
The Da Capo Opera by Nicholas Ivor Martin, Da Capo Press (1997)
Dictionary of Composers and Their Music by Eric Gilder, Sphere Reference (1987)
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