This week the Gran Teatre del Liceu will open a new production of “Tristan und Isolde” with an all-star cast and featuring one of the most anticipated role debuts of the year. Headlining the cast is Lise Davidsen who will sing her first Isolde. The performances also mark her return to the opera stage following a hiatus due to pregnancy.

Since Davidsen won the Operalia Competition, the soprano has been seen as the next great Wagnerian and she has since performed many of the composer’s roles to great acclaim. Audiences have been able to see her in as Sieglinde, Elisabeth, Eva, and Senta. However, Isolde is considered as one of the greatest roles in opera. In a recent interview with Platea, the soprano admitted that she knew audiences were anticipating the role for years. She said, “It was always clear to me that I wanted to wait a few years, perform certain roles and feel that, finally, I was prepared to meet Isolde. In this sense, it has always been easy for me to say no. Before singing a role, you never really know if it’s the right time or not, but when Víctor García de Gomar offered me this project at the Liceu, it seemed to fit perfectly, that it had arrived at the opportune moment. We discussed it with my agent, we agreed that it was the right time, and from that moment on, the decision was clear.”

Davidsen had previously previewed the second act of the role with the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks in 2024 already highlighting her prowess in the repertoire.

For audiences not Barcelona for the role debut, the company will stream the production via the  company’s platform. She will then sing the opera at the Metropolitan Opera in March in a new production that she will be brought to cinemas.

Recordings

For more Wagner sung by Davidsen, listen to her Senta in “Der Fliegende Holländer” alongside Gerald Finley.

Additionally here is the second act of “Tristan und Isolde:”