Tristan and Isolde

Wagner, Richard (1813–1883), translated by Dyer, Abigail (dyerabigail@gmail.com)

Tristan und Isolde, composed by Richard Wagner, is a Romantic opera in three acts, inspired by medieval legends, particularly the 12th-century tales of Tristan and Iseult. Wagner's work premiered in Munich on June 10, 1865, conducted by Hans von Bülow.

The opera tells the story of the knight Tristan, who is tasked with escorting the Irish princess Isolde to Cornwall, where she is to wed his uncle, King Marke. Isolde harbours deep resentment towards Tristan, who is responsible for the death of her former betrothed. Consumed by anger and despair, Isolde resolves to poison them both, but her maid, Brangäne, substitutes the draught with a love potion. This ignites an irresistible passion between Tristan and Isolde, binding them together with a love that defies social and moral constraints.

During a clandestine meeting in the opera's second act, the pair confess their mutual desire by way of a duet. This exchange is interrupted when they are discovered by King Marke, resulting in a confrontation and Tristan's fatal wounding. In the final act, Tristan is taken to his ancestral home in Brittany, where he lies on his death bed, yearning for Isolde. When she finally arrives, Tristan dies in her arms, and Isolde, overwhelmed by grief, envisions their reunion in death through the Liebestod - immortalising their love outside of the constraints of mortal existence.

Wagner’s libretto explores the psychological and emotional aspects of the lovers’ relationship. The opera is influenced by the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer, particularly his ideas on the "will" and the renunciation of desires. This philosophical underpinning is mirrored in Wagner's complex harmonic structures and innovative suse of chromaticism, most famously exemplified by the “Tristan chord”. These musical innovations were pivotal role in the evolution of Western music, predicating the dissolution of traditional tonality.

Upon its premiere, Tristan und Isolde received mixed reactions due to its departure from conventional operatic forms. It has, however, since become a cornerstone of the operatic repertoire, celebrated for its influence on both music and philosophical thought.

Author Details

Richard Wagner, born on May 22, 1813, in Leipzig, Germany, was a composer, conductor, and theatre director renowned for his operatic works. Wagner's father, Carl Friedrich, died of typhoid fever six months after Richard's birth, and his mother subsequently lived with, and probably remarried, the actor and playwright Ludwig Geyer, who kindled Wagner’s interest in theatre. Wagner displayed musical talent early in his life, going on to study at the University of Leipzig.

Richard Wagner's career was turbulent, characterized by both political involvement and persistent financial difficulties. His early operas, such as “Rienzi” and “The Flying Dutchman” were early steps in establishing his subsequent reputation. His involvement in the 1849 Dresden uprising, however, forced him into exile, during which he developed his revolutionary concept of opera as a "total work of art" (Gesamtkunstwerk).

Settling in Switzerland, Wagner wrote his famous essay “Opera and Drama” and began his epic cycle “The Ring of the Nibelung” - a series of four operas. His revolutionary use of leitmotifs and complex harmonic structures transformed opera. In contrast to his artistic success, Wagner’s personal life was more troubled - particularly his difficult marriage to Minna Planer and his controversial affair with Mathilde Wesendonck.

Wagner’s later years saw the realization of his longstanding ambition - the construction of the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, an opera house specifically designed for his works. He premiered the complete “Ring Cycle” there in 1876. His final opera, "Parsifal" premiered at Bayreuth in 1882.

Wagner died on February 13, 1883, in Venice, Italy.

More by this author

Read Now Download

Dyer, Abigail

Support Open-Access:

Your contribution keeps our classical translations available to all. Every dollar helps support classics education and funds the expansion of our catalogue. Value what we do? Donate now.

File Downloads:

PDF

Mobi

Epub

MS Word

Html