Opera Explained: WAGNER - Tristan und Isolde (Cook)



Sample Track


An Introduction to... WAGNER Tristan und Isolde
Cook, Christopher, reader
Claxton, Elaine, reader
Paton, Laura, reader
Barrett, Sean, reader



Background: 'Since I have never in my life... ' 03:27


Arvo Pärt: A Portrait
His Works • His Life


Written and read by Christopher Cook with
with Sean Barrett as Wagner
1 CD 12-page booklet
ISBN: 1-84379-218-4
Tristan und Isolde centres around two lovers who dream of romantic love and yearn for oblivion. No composer had written such a work before. Turning his back on traditional tonality, Wagner changed the course of Western music with Tristan und Isolde. But there's also fact behind the fiction: while he wrote his opera Wagner was in love with another's man's wife, Mathilde Wesendonk. So Tristan and Isolde are also Richard and Mathilde. Christopher Cook explores the making of a masterpiece, the story of lovers gripped by a passion that can only be consummated beyond the grave, a forbidden love that is blind to duty, honour and social obligation.