Tristan and Isolde (R)
Tristan and Isolde (R)
The concert performance of the extraordinarily long opera Tristan and Isolde, which the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra planned over three seasons, reaches its climax in the third act. The wounded knight Tristan is kept alive only by his desire to meet Isolde. When she finally gets to him, Tristan dies in her arms. King Marke arrives on the next ship, no longer seeking revenge, having learned of the magic love potion and realising that the lovers who had betrayed him were innocent. But all is in vain, and Isolde dies of grief. Richard Wagner was inspired by a medieval epic based on a Celtic legend. His own experiences also contributed to the extraordinary artistic atmosphere of the work – he had a love affair with the gifted writer Mathilde Wesendonck, a noble, intelligent and beautiful woman who was also the wife of his patron. In an inspiring friendship, the composer experienced a harmony of souls and an unfulfilled love, and he retold the ancient love story as a timeless symbol of such emotions. Wagner’s exhilarating music, spread across a vast canvas and interwoven with characteristic motifs, famous for its endless melodies and captivating charm, adds to the exclusivity of his operas. In developing the concept of the unity of the poetic word, music, staging and acting, he left such an extraordinary mark that he is regarded as a fundamental reformer of Romantic opera. Tristan and Isolde occupies a special place among his thirteen stage works. *Programme:* - Richard Wagner: Tristan and Isolde, Act III *The public dress rehearsal will take place on 6 October 2024 at 10:00.*
