The Met - Tristan und Isolde
The Met - Tristan und Isolde

Movie spotlight

The Met - Tristan und Isolde

2008
Movie
260 min
German

James Levine’s love for this monumental opera shimmers throughout this exciting performance. It was an afternoon to remember: Met favorite Deborah Voigt singing her first run as the proud Irish princess opposite tenor Robert Dean Smith—making an astonishing Met debut in front of a live worldwide movie-theater audience. Michelle DeYoung was a sisterly Brangäne and Matti Salminen an imposing King Marke.

Insights

IMDb8.2/10
Director: Robert WilsonGenres: Opera, Music

Plot Summary

This production of Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde" is a visually striking and psychologically intense interpretation. The opera follows the tragic love story of Tristan and Isolde, whose passionate and forbidden love is fueled by a magical potion, leading to their ultimate doom. It explores themes of love, death, desire, and transcendence through Wagner's groundbreaking musical score.

Critical Reception

Robert Wilson's production of "Tristan und Isolde" at The Met was met with significant critical acclaim for its minimalist aesthetic, profound staging, and the powerful vocal performances, particularly from Nina Stemme. It was lauded for its thoughtful exploration of the opera's complex themes and its cohesive artistic vision.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its stark, minimalist, and atmospheric staging by Robert Wilson.

  • Celebrated Nina Stemme's commanding and vocally brilliant performance as Isolde.

  • Acknowledged for the effective and often chilling portrayals by the supporting cast and conductor.

Google audience: Audience reception for this production, where available through general opera forums and discussions, generally reflects the critical praise, highlighting the visual artistry and the intensity of the lead performances.

Awards & Accolades

None notable (as a specific Met broadcast/production, not an individual performance)

Fun Fact

Robert Wilson's production famously employs extreme lighting techniques and stark, abstract sets, creating a dreamlike and intensely focused atmosphere that complements the opera's psychological depth.

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