Wagner: Tristan und Isolde: Act 2; Carlos Kleiber; Bayreuth (1976) Wenkoff, Ligendza [SUBS]

Carlos Kleiber, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
(Recorded 30th July, 1976, Bayreuth Festival Theatre)

Tristan — Spas Wenkoff
King Marke — Karl Ridderbusch
Isolde — Catarina Ligendza
Kurwenal — Donald McIntyre
Melot — Herbert Steinbach
Brangäne — Yvonne Minton
Shepherd — Heinz Zednik
Steersman — Heinz Feldhoff
Young Sailor — Heinz Zednik

The production was by August Everding. The stage designs were by Josef Svoboda. The costumes were by Reinhard Heinrich.

The photographs used in this video are from the production's programme booklet. The subtitled English translation is by Andrew Porter.

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Jonathan Brown in his book "Tristan und Isolde on Record" writes:

"Ligendza excels herself in act two as she sings into the night of the glory of love's goddess ("dass hell sie dorten leuchte"). Once Tristan and Isolde are united, the rapture is tremendous. Throughout the "Liebesnacht", Wenkoff and Ligendza are perfectly matched, their voices intertwined as if they were in one another's arms. Wenkoff is wonderful as he descends to a whisper as Tristan recalls venturing to his deepest inmost soul, and seeing a vision he had scarcely guessed at ("ich dämmernd dort empfah'n"). Brangäne's warning ("Einsam wachend"), coming from Minton's very pure, distant voice, doesn't disturb the scene beneath her at all. Karl Ridderbusch is a soft, warm-hearted King Marke, whose sadness and compassion attract our sympathy, as well as a moving response from Wenkoff."

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0:00:00 — Prelude
0:02:44 — Scene 1: "Hörst du sie noch?"
0:08:01 — Scene 1: "Dem Freund zu Lieb' erfand diese List"
0:14:26 — Scene 2: "Isolde! Geliebte!"..."Tristan! Geliebter!"
0:23:36 — Scene 2: "Getäuscht von ihm, der dich getäuscht"
0:31:39 — Scene 2: "O sink' hernieder, Nacht der Liebe"
0:36:46 — Scene 2: "Einsam wachend in der Nacht"
0:39:23 — Scene 2: "Lausch', Geliebter!"
0:46:26 — Scene 2: "So starben wir, um ungetrennt"
0:53:46 — Scene 3: "Rette dich, Tristan!"
0:55:16 — Scene 3: "Tatest du's wirklich?"
1:02:21 — Scene 3: "Dies wundervolle Weib"
1:07:37 — Scene 3: "O König, das kann ich dir nicht sagen"
1:11:58 — Scene 3: "Als für ein fremdes Land"

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"Tristan und Isolde" ("Tristan and Isolde") is an opera in three acts by Richard Wagner, with a German libretto by the composer. The libretto is based on the medieval romance "Tristan" by Gottfried von Strassburg. It was first performed at the Royal Court and National Theatre in Munich on 10th June, 1865.