Tristan and Isolde
by Richard Wagner · Tristan und Isolde
Assigned by 1 of the 9 reading lists, catalogue entry only
- Written
- 1857-1859, first performed 1865
- Form
- Drama
- Language
- German
- Length
- Short · 100 ppunder 120 pages
- Difficulty
- Demanding3 of 5 for a first-year reader
We recommendTristan and Isolde, translated by Andrew PorterCalder, 1981English National Opera guide with the German libretto facing and essays; St. John's reads the libretto with the score.
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Wagner's opera in three acts, for which he wrote both the poem and the music, drawing on Gottfried von Strassburg's medieval romance. Tristan is bringing the Irish princess Isolde to Cornwall as bride for his uncle King Marke; she means to poison them both for his killing of her betrothed, but her servant substitutes a love potion. Discovered together in the king's garden, Tristan is wounded and taken to his castle in Brittany, where he dies as Isolde arrives; she sings over his body and follows him in death. Its opening chord and unresolved harmony marked a turning point in Western music.
No reading guide yet
The catalogue entry above is complete: the dates, the form, the themes and every program that assigns Tristan and Isolde are verified against each program's published list.
What is missing is the part that takes real work: the summary, the key passages, and a recommended translation. The edition named below is the one most programs assign, so the buy links are useful already.
