Yannick’s debut, Stemme’s farewell: Tristan und Isolde in Philly

Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra and soloists

By Cameron Kelsall, 02 June 2025

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“this Tristan set a high benchmark that many opera companies... could only hope to match”

Reviewed at Kimmel Center: Marian Anderson Hall, Philadelphia on 1 June 2025

Wagner, Tristan und Isolde

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Conductor

The Philadelphia Orchestra

Nina Stemme, Isolde

Stuart Skelton, Tristan

Tareq Nazmi, King Marke

Karen Cargill, Brangäne

Brian Mulligan, Kurwenal

Frederick Ballentine, Melot

Jonghyun Park, Shepherd, Young seaman

Nathan Schludecker, Helmsman

Bang! Mozart's volcano erupts in Opera Holland Park’s Così fan tutte

Peter Quantrill, 28th May

Mount Vesuvius looms over Cecilia Stinton’s compelling new production of Così fan tutte.

****1

Viennese splendour in Garsington’s Rosenkavalier revival

Roy Westbrook, 28th May

Bruno Ravella's splendid 2021 production of Strauss' opera of Viennese manners returns with a fine cast.

****1

A witty hotel Don Giovanni opens Blackwater Valley Festival

Andrew Larkin, 27th May

Tom Creed’s witty production at Lismore Castle delivers strong singing, sharp comedy and lively orchestral playing, even if the opera’s darker supernatural edges are somewhat diminished.

****1

Garsington’s new La traviata ticks every musical and dramatic box

David Karlin, 27th May

Music Director Douglas Boyd conducts a performance of exceptional musical quality, and Louisa Muller's uncontroversial but passionate direction makes this Traviata one for the ages.

*****

Werther revived at San Carlo: an anatomy of emotional isolation

Lorenzo Fiorito, 26th May

Willy Decker’s psychologically intense Werther returns to the Teatro di San Carlo with a deeply human interpretation by Francesco Demuro and refined conducting by Lorenzo Passerini.

*****

Opera Holland Park makes a convincing case for La fanciulla del West

Dominic Lowe, 26th May

A thoughtful production from Martin Lloyd-Evans and magnificent playing from Matthew Kofi Walden and the City of London Sinfonia make the case for why Puccini's under-appreciated work is actually so sophisticated.

****1

More reviews...

Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall is a classical music critic and cultural reporter. He has written for Bachtrack since 2019, and his byline has appeared in many national and international classical music publications. Based in Philadelphia, he regularly travels around the United States for musical events. In addition to his career in journalism, Cameron also teaches in the Theatre Arts program at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a certified sommelier and avid home cook. His favorite composer is Mahler. Twitter: @CameronPKelsall.

Yannick’s debut, Stemme’s farewell: Tristan und Isolde in Philadelphia