[Itullian]

Always controversial.
Why do you like it or hate it?

It's sometimes called the greatest opera ever.

What makes it so compelling?
It really grabs me. Those chords opening Act 3 , sounding and wafting upwards always grip me.

What are it's meanings? What is its power? Is the power of the potion real or just an excuse?

What makes it the iconic work that it is on a musical and psychological level?
Wagner said a truly great performance would drive you mad.
Conductors have died conducting it. Karajan said he needed to come up with another way to conduct it.

Lovers of this opera.............let's talk Tristan.
:tiphat:

 

[Itullian]

Amazing............

 

[Itullian]

I just think its incredible.
The prelude, Isolde's scene on the ship, the love duet and duel, the opening of act 3 with the clarinet or whatever it is, Tristans mad scene and then the liebestod.

amazing...............
.

 

[Itullian]

That is an English horn I believe. It's supposed to sound like a shepherd's pipe, doesn't really, but who cares?

It's so atmospheric..........

 

[Itullian]

For more recent recordings this one is a classic despite the fact that hate Domingo for Wagner singing:

View attachment 63761

I like that one very much. I think Domingo is excellent, even if a bit different.

 

[Itullian]

It does seem to suspend time.............

 

[Itullian]

I always get tears in my eyes at the end.

 

[Itullian]

It has.

View attachment 63821

Thank the goddesses. ;D

Yeah, finally complete acts per disc.

 

[Itullian]

Wagner didn't call it an opera.
He called it "eine handlung", a drama.

 

[Itullian]

A gorgeous atmospheric prelude and an ending that builds and build, crashes and then sublime quiet and still so you don't breathe and your heart stops for a moment. When Isolde sings the last few lines it is like an out of body experience.

I love the Deborah Polaski version of this on DVD filmed at the Liceu in Barcelona where she goes to the window at the end and just stares into space. Gorgeous and simple and very moving.

On cd I have struggled to find a definitive version. The first version I bought was deborah Voigt in a live recording with Thomas Moser. Both fairly weak voices but I was young and attracted to the box cover!

Furtwangler, Barenboim, Kleiber, Bohm, Karajan have great recordings.

 

[Itullian]

Is there any DVD out there that has Isolde holding Tristan in her arms as she dies as Wagner intended?

The ones I've seen are awful.

 

[Itullian]

You may not like this video of "love death" but I find so visually compelling and abstractly captures the songs essence.

Notice the human carnage all around the room that resulted from this ill fated love, then sharply contrasted by the slowly rising expanded consciousness and enlightened vision of pure love fully consummated outside this mortal world, waves of music wash over her, as the intensity grows the camera tightens in till the growing golden pure light consumes our heroine as she fully surrenders to its irresistible pull......glorious visual!

No one can capture the beautiful otherworldly rapture and spiritual release like Waltraud Meier.........

Thank you DA. Really appreciate the post.
I generally don't care for filmed productions.
I like videos of live performances and a live audience. Just seems more exciting and real to me.

You're right. I don't care for that production. Don't like the condemned building looking set.
And hated the love music set. And wasn't crazy about the yellow square.
The singing however was wonderful.

I kinda liked the Ponnelle/Barenboim sets, but the ending is a mess.

I want a live, tasteful, true to RW's performance. Too much to ask for today I guess.

 

[Itullian]

Sorry folks, as much as Tristan is beautiful, my favorite opera is still Parsifal. For me, Tristan is a stepping stone towards that ultimate summation.

That's possible.............

 

[Itullian]

It's my favorite as well. Parsifal thread, anyone?

Why not?..............

 

[Itullian]

I'd like some help with this....I have a really hard time with most Wagnerian singing. Thats what trips me up time and time again. I feel in the first act that I'm just hearing a bunch of angry people. I'm not hearing music. And yes, I understand the drama, I understand why Isolde would be angry. But I just can't sit through it.

So help me. Furtwangler (I know I know it's the best) did not work for me. What recording has perhaps a smoother experience than the sharpness of Wagnerian talk-singing, if any? Or should I just skip act one and at least try later acts? I've done it with Furtwangler and liked it a bit better t still couldn't just enjoy it.

Help! I considered Bohm, I've also considered Placido Domingo's version. Any suggestions to help this one click for me?

I would say the Domingo or the Kleiber are more on the lyrical side and are fairly inexpensive.
And I like them because each act is complete on each disc.
I think to start with Act 2 would be good. It has the amazing love music.

Tristan suspends time.
Lay down, turn down the lights, know the plot. and just let it flow.
It takes a little perseverance. But if it clicks, its wonderful.

I know the plot so just occasionally check the words.
I still mostly listen to one act per sitting
It's serious stuff but beautiful.
It took me awhile to like too.
Then one day..........click.

Very open of you to keep trying.
Good luck!!!!! :tiphat:

 

[Itullian]

Gotta love Fry in this clip.

I love this clip

 

[Itullian]

I like.............

 

[Itullian]

What about the solo clarinet passage before the finale chord?

Could that mean they are now one?

 

[Itullian]

Nothing strange or outrageous. Nothing imaginative or exciting either. Shouldn't they do something with light to express Isolde's mounting ecstasy? You'd think Adolphe Appia had never lived and written La mise en scéne du théatre Wagnerien. (Paris, 1891).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolphe_Appia

True, but its better than the others I've seen.............

 

[Itullian]

Does it stay dark the whole time?

It would certainly save the theater money.

Yes, it's dark and shadowy. Cool though.
And its all on youtube.

They're past their vocal primes, but its a heartfelt performance
and well conducted.