Tristan und Isolde

Based on a medieval legend of Celtic origin, the libretto of Tristan und Isolde – written by Richard Wagner himself – expresses a rich constellation of cultural references which range from Buddhism to the theatre of Calderón and the philosophies of Feuerbach and Schopenhauer. Arranged around the pairs of eros/thanatos, obligation/instinct and conscience/ subconscious, these associations suggest a vanguard dramatic setting which looked nearly half a century ahead to the birth of modern psychology. With his score, Wagner not only marked a point of no return  in the evolution of tonality and, with that, of Western music, but he also expressed  in musical terms -  by means of ample crescendos, compelling climaxes  and profound anticlimaxes -   the distinct moments of our most basic impulse: sexuality.

Definitely considered one of the five most influential and indisputable operas of all times, we will enjoy a semi-staged version, conducted by Semyon Bychkov, who is a most sought after conductor of Wagner at present.