(Credit: Juan Carlos Blanco Olea) Barno Ismatullaeva is a rising star in the opera world. Born in Andijan, Uzbekistan, she studied at the State Conservatory in Tashkent and went on to join the Alisher Navoi Opera House in Tashkent as a permanent ensemble member shortly after graduation. In 2017, she participated in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition {…}
American mezzo-soprano Irene Roberts is in the midst of becoming one of the most in-demand Wagnerian singers of her generation. Over the past seasons, Roberts has performed the roles of Kundry, Sieglinde and Brangäne. While there are some Strauss, Bizet, Verdi and Mascagni works that she continues to perform, the mezzo’s next role is none other than Isolde at the {…}
The Metropolitan Opera’s 2025–26 Live in HD season is set to continue with Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde” on Saturday, March 21. The new production by director Yuval Sharon stars Lise Davidsen as Isolde and Michael Spyres as Tristan. The cast also features mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Gubanova as Brangäne, bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny as Kurwenal, and bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green as King Marke. Yannick {…}
(Credit: Karen Almond) In his book, “A New Philosophy of Opera,” director Yuval Sharon notes that “Tristan und Isolde,” alongside “Pelléas et Mélisande” are not only two of the most difficult operas to stage, but “seem like a losing proposition” for any director to take on. He reflects on how oftentimes, director’s attempt to “find physical form for what the {…}
(Photo: Karen Almond / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera has added an additional performance of “Tristan und Isolde” due to overwhelming demand. The company said that the additional performance will be on April 4, at 12 p.m. and tickets will go on sale on Monday, March 9, at 12 p.m. ET. The cast will include soprano Lise Davidsen as Isolde, {…}
(Photo: Marcello-Orselli) “Tristan und Isolde” is a colossal work, not only for its length (five hours, including two 30-minute intermissions), or for the influence of the famous Tristan chord on Western music, but also for the symbolism it represents. Wagner was hugely influenced by Schopenhauer’s philosophy when he wrote this masterpiece, while conducting an affair with Mathilde, the wife of {…}
On Episode # 8 of the OperaWire podcast, David and Francisco Salazar discuss the Met Opera’s financial issues, opera’s connection to “Heated Rivalry,” the new “Tristan und Isolde” production, and the Oscars. Listen here: Or watch on Youtube:
The Teatro Carlo Felice is set to present a new production of Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde.” The production, which is set to run between Feb. 13 and 22, 2026, will be conducted by Donato Renzetti and staged by Laurence Dale. The cast will feature Tilmann Unger (Tristan), Evgeny Stavinsky (King Marke), Marjorie Owens (Isolde), Nicolò Ceriani (Kurwenal), Saverio Fiore (Melot), {…}
(Credit: Marco Borggreve) This week the Dutch National opera open a revival production of “Tristan und Isolde” by the late Pierre Audi. Every time that the Wagner work is presented is special as it one of the most challenging in the repertoire and therefore rarely performed. For this revival, the Dutch National Opera has chosen a well-known Wagnerian tenor and {…}
The Gran Teatre del Liceu is set to stream “Tristan und Isolde” on Feb. 15, 2026. The company announced that the production, which was recorded during the company’s run, will be presented on Liceu OPERA+. Lise Davidsen and Clay Hilley lead the cast which also includes Tomasz Konieczny, Roger Padullés, Ekaterina Gubanova, Albert Casals, and Milan Perišić. Bárbara Lluch directed {…}
The Metropolitan Opera is set to premiere a new production of Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde” The new production will be directed by Yuval Sharon in his company-debut and will star Lise Davidsen in her long-anticipated company role debut as Isolde. She will be joined by tenor Michael Spyres stars as Tristan, mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Gubanova as Brangäne, bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny as {…}