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1745
11:45AM
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SPECIAL PROGRAM: Opera on 3
Wagner: Tristan und Isolde
“The most audacious and original work of my life” Wagner said of his epic opera Tristan and Isolde. The opera is based on the Celtic legend of Tristan and Iseult, an ill-fated love triangle. The eponymous couple meet onboard Tristan’s ship as he brings Isolde from Ireland to Cornwall to marry his uncle, King Marke, sung by bass John Tomlinson. Isolde offers Tristan a deathly potion unaware that Isolde’s maid Brangane, mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly, has switched this to a love potion and the two fall fatefully for each other. They continue to meet even after Isolde’s marriage to King Marke, who is too broken-hearted to show his anger at Tristan’s betrayal. Knowing their love cannot survive in this world, Tristan allows himself to be wounded by one of Marke’s courtiers, and dies in Isolde’s arms. In her Liebestod, Isolde sings of the love that can only be fulfilled in death with Tristan. The cast is led by soprano Nina Stemme as Isolde, and tenor Stephen Gould as Tristan. Antonio Pappano conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and is presented by Christopher Cook, who is joined by Wagner specialist Sarah Lenton.
Tristan…..Stephen Gould (Tenor)
Isolde…..Nina Stemme (Soprano)
King Marke…..John Tomlinson (Bass)
Kurwenal…..Iain Paterson (Bass)
Brangane…..Sarah Connolly (Mezzo-soprano)
Melot…..Neal Cooper (Tenor)
Sailor…..Ed Lyon (Tenor )
Shepherd…..Graham Clark (Tenor)
Steersman…..Yuriy Yurchuk (Bass-baritone)
Royal Opera House Orchestra
Royal Opera House Chorus
Antonio Pappano (Conductor). (4 hrs., 58 min.)
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