Thalheimer’s directs a static new Berlin Tristan und Isolde

Elisabeth Teige (Isolde)

Irene Roberts (Brangäne), Elisabeth Teige (Isolde) and Clay Hilley (Tristan)

Georg Zeppenfeld (Marke), Dean Murphy (Melot) and Thomas Lehman (Kurwenal)

By Zenaida des Aubris, 04 November 2025

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“Runnicles... shaped Wagner’s vast structures with natural flow and luminous transparency”

Reviewed at Deutsche Oper, Berlin on 1 November 2025

Wagner, Tristan und Isolde

Deutsche Oper Berlin

Sir Donald Runnicles, Conductor

Michael Thalheimer, Director

Henrik Ahr, Set Designer

Michaela Barth, Costume Designer

Stefan Bolliger, Lighting Designer

Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin

Chor der Deutschen Oper Berlin

Clay Hilley, Tristan

Elisabeth Teige, Isolde

Georg Zeppenfeld, King Marke

Thomas Lehman, Kurwenal

Dean Murphy, Melot

Irene Roberts, Brangäne

Burkhard Ulrich, Shepherd

Paul Minhyung Roh, Helmsman

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A classic opera buffa gets an update by Rolando Villazón to a produce a staging that celebrates the timeless vitality of Rossini’s comic imagination.

****1

Between ecstasy and abyss: Korngold’s Violanta at the Deutsche Oper

Zenaida des Aubris, 25th January

David Hermann directs a new production of Korngold’s teenage opera, conducted by Sir Donald Runnicles, at the Deutsche Oper Berlin.

****1

Giordano's Fedora at the Deutsche Oper Berlin

Elena Luporini, 27th November

A new production of Fedora at the Deutsche Oper Berlin warms up the cold German winter, featuring strong lead performances by Vida Miknevičiūtė and Jonathan Tetelman.

***11

Anatomy of a love: Rebecca Saunders’ Lash at Deutsche Oper Berlin

Elena Luporini, 20th June

Nearing the close of the season, Deutsche Oper Berlin premieres Rebecca Saunders’ first opera Lash – Acts of Love, a visceral reflection on love and death.

*****

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Zenaida des Aubris, 26th January

Tobias Kratzer gives his third Strauss production in three seasons at Deutsche Oper Berlin another contemporary spin.

****1

A tribute to bad taste: a new Macbeth at Deutsche Oper Berlin

Zenaida des Aubris, 23rd November

When does opera direction go too far? Marie-Ève Signeyrole provides the answers in her tasteless, explicit staging of Verdi's Macbeth in Berlin.

**111

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Zenaida des Aubris

Zenaida des Aubris, based in Berlin, has over 30 years experience in artist management and production of classical music and opera in the United States, Europe and Asia. Currently, she offers consultation to music competitions and schools as well as to individual recent graduates on how to manage themselves and kickstart their careers through her company Opera Career Advice.

Monastic minimalism dominates Thalheimer’s static Berlin Tristan und Isolde