Tristan und Isolde at the Scala

[Brünnhilde forever]

Promised myself to never again write about a performance immediately after I have seen it, especially not now, while my palms are still stinging from my loud and long applause, but I do want to share with you - during intermission - the stirring performance of the first act.

Waltraud Meier and Ian Storey, with Daniel Barenboim in the pit, giving the director Patrice Chereau another success to add to his line of stage work. There were doubts about Meier's voice being able to handle the role; not to worry, she can do it, better than some other Isoldes I have seen and heard. Storey - I think it's the first time I have seen him; (and T-C will no doubt correct me!) - is the perfect partner to Meier. He is a true Tristan!

Did I tell you I have only seen the first act so far? I wanted to take one act every day, but I think it will be a long afternoon, can't wait for the second act! Chereau placed the action on a small portion of an old ship with crew members now and then milling about, performing various sailor work, but never getting in the way of the three main characters. The small deck covered with various pieces of cargo and luggage, Tristan and Kurwenal appearing occasionally on the upper deck until it's time for Tristan to face Isolde. What a great confrontation, both the singing and acting.

But I'll tell you more about that when I have seen the entire opera, except I have to describe the very last moment of that act: Tristan is being held in check by some sailors, Isolde collapsed on the floor, after very physical and passionate embraces, and there steps King Marke - Matti Salminen - out from the crowd, walking to her and gently lifts her up, leading her off stage.  - Last note from the orchestra and the Milano Scala erupts in a true thunderous applause, curtain remaining open, all the actors arranging themselves, taking their bows. -

Intermission over, I am off to my nosebleed section of the Scala - watching an opera on DVD at home, is almost like attending the opera the same way I experienced most operas in my past youth! -

[Brünnhilde forever]

pictures:

[Brünnhilde forever]

two more:

[T-C]

Storey - I think it's the first time I have seen him; (and T-C will no doubt correct me!)

Sorry to disappoint you. I have never heard or seen Ian Storey sing... 

This Tristan und Isolde was sent to me, but I haven't received it yet.

I watched yesterday the new Virgin classics DVD of Offenbach's La vie parissienne from Lyon (directed by Laurent Pelly). Two hours of sheer delight!!

[PerfectWagnerite]

You can see the entire Meier/Storey Tristan on youtube for free.

[Brünnhilde forever]

Good! Thank you for the information. That's just great if you want to watch a Wagner opera, especially this one, on your small PC monitor and get probably lousy sound, distortions, interruptions and what not other disturbances. 

[PerfectWagnerite]

Good! Thank you for the information. That's just great if you want to watch a Wagner opera, especially this one, on your small PC monitor and get probably lousy sound, distortions, interruptions and what not other disturbances. 

Well I was watching it during my lunchbreak. But the sound a audio are actually very very good, i would say about as good if not better than watching it on VHS. Try it yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs26gZ08GeU

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Well I was watching it during my lunchbreak. But the sound a audio are actually very very good, i would say about as good if not better than watching it on VHS. Try it yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs26gZ08GeU

Listening and watching - very good indeed, both the performance and the YouTube stream.

[Brünnhilde forever]

So I saw acts 2 and 3 of the Tristan today, and I am just overwhelmed. Of course, I have not seen as many Tristans as some of you have, but I have seen several and since I was about 12, I have been imagining the work over and over in my mind's eye, so I have some idea of the range of possibilities. Even so, I never would have expected anything quite as profound as this production. Quibbles about what is or is not "Wagner's" are just pointless. This is not Wagner's, not Chereau's, not Barenboim's. It is just a great realization of the essence of the work of art. To a great extent, it is a work more beautifully acted than sung, a performance that is great theater rather than great music (though Barenboim's orchestra provides great music). I would argue that there is not much "added" to the work, so much as there is a great deal "drawn from" the work that has maybe not been noticed before. I think Chereau deserves great credit, along with the whole production team and the great performers.

Storey's may not be the greatest Tristan voice ever, but I can't believe anyone has ever acted the role with deeper sympathy and understanding, and his singing is always powerful and convincing.
Salminen is actually very much the same (as a singer) as he was in the Met production with Voigt, but he obviously had more to work with in the characterization in this production. So there are two great Marke's, Pape and Salminen.

The big surprise for me was Meier--I have always admired her, but I had no idea she had so much in her. She truly is Isolde, and even if we might argue over the effect of the blood at the end, the portrayal of a woman about to die in the midst of a hallucination is incredibly powerful and mesmerizing. Hers may also not be the most beautiful voice for Isolde, but that's not the point--the overall performance is just magnificent. I greatly admired Voigt in the role, and have admired a couple of the others I have seen, but Meier is now my point of reference.

[bhodges]

The big surprise for me was Meier--I have always admired her, but I had no idea she had so much in her. She truly is Isolde, and even if we might argue over the effect of the blood at the end, the portrayal of a woman about to die in the midst of a hallucination is incredibly powerful and mesmerizing. Hers may also not be the most beautiful voice for Isolde, but that's not the point--the overall performance is just magnificent. I greatly admired Voigt in the role, and have admired a couple of the others I have seen, but Meier is now my point of reference.

Thanks for all these comments, Lis!  I don't have Tristan on DVD, but as a big admirer of Meier, I might have to bite the bullet for this one.

--Bruce

[Brünnhilde forever]

If there is any Tristan DVD to have, it is this one! My Olivier Py Tristan has been knocked off it's pedestal down to number two by this Chereau master piece. It is a true theatrical production with the emphasis on Theater, not Opera; sounds strange, but you really have to see it, to believe! 

[bhodges]

If there is any Tristan DVD to have, it is this one! My Olivier Py Tristan has been knocked off it's pedestal down to number two by this Chereau master piece. It is a true theatrical production with the emphasis on Theater, not Opera; sounds strange, but you really have to see it, to believe! 

Well, sounds good to me.  My feeling about opera in general is "Yes, the music is primary," but certainly when watching one I feel that all the elements should come together in a whole.

--Bruce

[Brünnhilde forever]

I have been told this DVD is not available any more at amazon and other sources. I bought mine from MDT and they have it:

http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product//5193159.htm

[Brünnhilde forever]

If you are still not convinced that this Tristan und Isolde is Chereau's master piece, read this review at amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B001EZ79V8/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?%5Fencoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

[knight66]

I think this is the version that EMI have just brought out at bargain price, unusual for a DVD. That may be why it is not now available in its old incarnation.

Mike

[Brünnhilde forever]

One reason why it can not be found at amazon is their stupid listing! I discovered they have it listed in the TV and Movie section! 

[Brünnhilde forever]

You are right, Luv, that's the one:

http://www.emiclassics.co.uk/release.php?id=5099951931599