Tristan und Isolde

Ramon Gener introduces Tristan und Isolde by Wagner

First act of Tristan und Isolde

First interlude of Tristan und Isolde with Ramon Gener. With interviews with the protagonists of the production.

Second act of Tristan und Isolde

Third act of Tristan und Isolde

Second interlude of Tristan und Isolde with Ramon Gener. With interviews with the protagonists of the production.

Ramon Gener says goodbye to the spectators and talks to some of the protagonists of Tristan und Isolde.

We find ourselves aboard the ship captained by Tristan, bound for Cornwall. His uncle, King Marke, is to marry Isolde, and Tristan has been entrusted with escorting the bride to him. Isolde is filled with anger when she discovers that Tristan is the man who killed her fiancé long ago. She had spared his life on the condition that she would never see him again, yet now he is the very one escorting her to her future husband. Isolde asks her nurse, Brangäne, to prepare a deadly potion for Tristan to drink. Instead of obeying her and preparing a poison, Brangäne secretly provides a love potion. Tristan drinks half the cup, and Isolde drinks the other half. In that moment, an unconditional love is born between them.

We are in King Marke's castle. The King has departed on a night hunt, the only time when Tristan and Isolde can meet and love each other freely. Brangäne helps the lovers make this secret encounter possible. Wanting to protect them, Brangäne warns Isolde that Melot, Tristan's most loyal friend, suspects that something is going on between them. Tristan and Isolde surrender to their love while the darkness of the night shelters them. In the end, they are discovered by King Marke, Melot, and his men. Marke feels deeply disappointed and betrayed by them both. Tristan confronts Melot, who mortally wounds him when Tristan chooses not to defend himself.

Tristan's faithful friend, Kurwenal, has brought him to the castle of Kareol. There, Tristan lies gravely wounded, remaining awake as he waits for the shepherd to announce Isolde's arrival. Overcome by shifting emotions, Tristan rails against the fateful love potion. At last, the shepherd's flute announces Isolde's arrival. Kurwenal, ever faithful at Tristan's side, shares in his joy at the return of his beloved.

Isolde arrives and is finally reunited with Tristan, who dies with her name on his lips. Soon afterwards, King Marke, Melot, and Brangäne arrive. Melot and Kurwenal engage in a fight, and both lose their lives. Marke comes intending to unite the two lovers, but he arrives too late. Isolde is transfigured, giving rise to one of the most sublime moments in the history of music.