Tristan und Isolde at the Opra

8 Nov-6 Dec 2005. The Paris Opra Bastille presents Richard Wagners great lyric poem on love and death, Tristan und Isolde (1865), with Peter Sellars directing and set design by video artist Bill Viola. This opera in three acts is based on the Celtic myth which tells of Tristans ill-fated love for Isolde, the bride he was sent to fetch from Ireland for Mark, King of Cornwall. After the royal wedding, Tristan and Isolde are only able to meet clandestinely, and of course one day they are discovered. Tristan is wounded and dies later in Isoldes arms. In her final soliloquy her liebestod Isolde sings of consummating her love for Tristan in the arms of Death. Wagner was inspired to write this opera whilst passionately enamoured of Mathilde Wesendonk, the wife of his rich Swiss patron, Otto. The current production has Clifton Forbes as Tristan and Lisa Gasteen as Isolde and is sung in German. Valery Gergiev conducts the orchestra and chorus of the Opra National de Paris. Admission 5 (last-minute standing room)-150. 8, 12, 16, 29 Nov & 3, 6 Dec 18.30, 20 Nov 14.30.