TRISTAN UND ISOLDE to the power of 10

“There is nothing in this world like Tristan and Isolde, not even with Wagner. There is nothing that musically just works so intensively, and explains and transfigures everything.” This is how Leonard Bernstein described the piece.

Still today, the opera is considered the most romantic love tragedy of all time. After completion, it was deemed impossible to perform for some time before it finally celebrated its world premiere at the Nationaltheater on 10 June 1865. This was made possible of course by King Ludwig II and his unconditional support for Richard Wagner and the production. The work has since been staged anew multiple times here with us – Krzysztof Warlikowski’s staging is now the tenth new production. A good reason therefore for us to take a quick look at the history of our stagings.

World premiere, 10 June 1865

Firmly convinced by his work, before the world premiere Wagner was certain that, “only mediocre performances” could rescue the opera: “I suppose totally great performances make people crazy. I can’t imagine it any other way. That’s how much my attitude has changed over all this time!” The audience was overwhelmed nonetheless.

But this staging also contributed significantly to the Tristan role being attributed the reputation of a murderous character. Just weeks after the piece’s fourth and last performance, Ludwig Schnorr von Carolsfeld, the world premiere Tristan, died aged just 29. The cause of death is still unclear to this day. His wife Malvina, the first Isolde, fell into a deep depression and never graced a stage again.

Premiere line-up:
Conducted by: Hans von Bülow
Staging: Eduard Sigl, Richard Wagner
Stage and costume: Angelo Quaglio II, (1st+3rd act), Heinrich Döll (2nd act)
Tristan: Ludwig Schnorr von Carolsfeld
Isolde: Malvina Schnorr von Carolsfeld

The second staging, 1880

The premiere of the second staging was conducted by the long-serving Musical Director, Hermann Levi. Indeed this staging also demanded a fatality, although it came some years later. On 21 June 1911, Felix Mottl conducted the opera for the 100th time, but in the middle of the performance he collapsed at the podium and died just days later.

Premiere line-up:
Conducted by: Hermann Levi
Staging: Karl Brulliot
Tristan: Herr Bogl
Isolde: Frau Bogl

Production from 1947

Premiere line-up:
Conducted by: Georg Solti
Staging: Georg Hartmann 
Stage and costume: Richard Panzer 
Tristan: August Seider
Isolde: Helena Braun

Production from 1958 

Premiere line-up:
Conducted by: Joseph Keilberth 
Staging: Rudolf Hartmann
Stage and costume: Emil Preetorius 
Tristan: Ludwig Suthaus
Isolde: Herta Töpper

Stagings 8 and 9 

The 1980 and 1998 stagings are still rather vivid for some members of our audience. Here are some impressions for you:

Staging 1980

Premiere line-up: 
Conducted by: Wolfgang Sawallisch
Staging: August Everding
Stage and costume: Herbert Kapplmüller
Tristan: Spas Wenkoff
Isolde: Hildegard Behrens