TRISTAN UND ISOLDE Richard Wagner
SYNOPSIS
Act 1 At Sea The Irish princess Isolde is being brought to Cornwall by Tristan and his entourage. There she is to marry King Mark, Tristan’s uncle. The marriage was arranged to seal the peace between Ireland and Cornwall, who had been at war ever since Cornwall, being taxed by Ireland, revolted against Irish dominion. Isolde curses her fate. She does not respond to the anxious inquiries of her confidante and companion Brangäne. Instead, she demands to speak to Tristan. This is an order to an underling. Brangäne delivers this message to Tristan, but he declines, making excuses. His confidant Kurwenal however clarifies the situation: it is now Isolde who is the underling. He mockingly reminds her that Tristan has slain Isolde’s fiancé Morold in Combat. When Brangäne delivers this message, Isolde reveals her secret to her: Tristan is in fact »Tantris« who had once come to Ireland, severely wounded, to seek the help of Isolde as she is famed for her powers of healing. As she nursed him back to health, she came to realize that the sick man must be the murderer of her fiancé Morold. She decided to kill him, but ultimately spared him out of pity. Before his departure, restored to full health, her patient had pledged his eternal thanks and loyalty to her. Now she considers herself betrayed. She swears that they both will die. She asks Brangäne to prepare the death potion that her mother gave her before her journey, along with other remedies and draughts. She then demands again to speak to Tristan, averring she will not leave the ship until she does. When Tristan appears, Isolde accuses him of murdering Morold. She invites him to drink a potion of atonement with her. Tristan, who indicates that he knows what Isolde’s intention is, drinks the potion with her. The two of them instantly fall passionately in love with each other. The ship berths, and King Mark’s arrival is announced. In response to Isolde’s inquiry, Brangäne admits that she gave the two of them a love draught instead of a death potion. SY NOPSIS
4
Act 2 In Cornwall Mark and his entourage have gone on a nocturnal hunt, and Isolde awaits Tristan. When Isolde urges Brangäne to extinguish the torch as a signal to Tristan, Brangäne warns her against it. She suspects that Melot plans to set a trap for the lovers. Isolde counters that Melot is Tristan’s closest friend. Brangäne reluctantly gives the signal, whereupon Tristan rushes in. Tristan and Isolde are rapturously reunited and dream of leaving the brightness of the day and sinking into eternal night, a love death. Kurwenal bursts in and urges Tristan to save himself. Too late: Melot ushers King Mark in and triumphantly pronounces the betrayal to the king. Mark asks Tristan for an explanation, but Tristan and Isolde cannot wrest themselves from their state of harmony. Tristan makes Isolde promise that she will follow him wherever he goes. Provoking Melot, who stands ready to fight, Tristan allows himself to be badly wounded.
Act 3
← Previous pages: Ekaterina Gubanova as Brangäne, Iain Paterson as Kurwenal, Martina Serafin as Isolde, Opera School of the Vienna State Opera, 2022
At Kareol Kurwenal watches over the mortally wounded Tristan, while a shepherd keeps a look-out for Isolde’s ship. When Tristan awakes, Kurwenal must remind him of recent events: he, Kurwenal, carried Tristan to the ship and brought him to the castle of his fathers, where he can convalesce. Tristan envisions himself between night and day, between death and life. Only the thought of Isolde keeps him bound to the world. Kurwenal reports that he has sent for Isolde, whereupon Tristan becomes elated and believes he can see her ship. He reacts to the negative response with dejection and thinks of his parents, who died when he was born. He believes his anguish and hardships stem from this circumstance. Finally, the shepherd gives the signal: Isolde’s ship has arrived. The news of her arrival fills Tristan with ecstasy. When Isolde finally enters, Tristan dies. Isolde despairs. Now King Mark’s arrival is also announced. Melot and Brangäne, who arrive soon after, try to calm the raging Kurwenal, but he kills Melot and dies shortly thereafter in a struggle with Mark’s entourage. Mark laments Tristan’s death. He declares that he had come to give Isolde in marriage to Tristan. Isolde is no longer listening to him; she approaches Tristan’s body with growing ardour and speaks in growing rapture. Finally, she collapses over the lifeless Tristan.
5
SY NOPSIS
Laura Holder → Attempt at Leaving
YOU COME AND GO IN WAVES I TRY TO STAND UP TO THEM INSTEAD I DIVE IN
Culinary delicacies at the Palais Todesco, Kärntner Straße 51
Shop | Ground Floor Fine tarts, strudel, cake, sweets and delicious gifts
Café-Bar | 1st Floor small snacks, the finest cakes and refreshing drinks in a cozy atmosphere
Café-Restaurant | 2nd Floor Finest Viennese cuisine and delicious sweets, Sunday brunch and exclusive events in a unique ambience. TABLE RESERVATION
Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker Kärntner Strasse 51, 1010 Vienna | gerstner.culinary www.gerstner.at
General Sponsors of Wiener Staatsoper