Isolde’s longing is everyone’s longing
Since its premiere in Munich in 1865, Tristan and Isolde has bewitched audiences all over the world. The bittersweet theme of longing for love, namely that between the knight Tristan and the Irish king’s daughter Isolde, who is only and first, redeemed in death, is as titillatingly strong today as it was 160 years ago. This year, Norrlandsoperan gives visitors the opportunity to experience this almost five-hour long, delirically maxed out love opera in their own house. Award-winning rising star Åsa Jäger from Umeå sings Isolde, while Greek tenor star Dimitris Paksoglou sings Tristan. The opera is conducted by Norrlandsoperan Symphony Orchestra’s chief conductor Eduardo Strausser and the direction is Dan Turdén, the house’s artistic director of opera.
Wagner’s portrayal of the theme – through the music’s painfully sweet build-up to the climax – was for its time as radical as it was subversive. Even then, the morality police warned against the opera’s erotic appropriation and diabolical attraction but, it turned out, in vain. The opera has come to have iconic status, and its fame does not seem to be waning. Perhaps this is due to the opera’s symbolic effect. In a kind of figurative sense, Tristan and Isolde’s unresolved longing can also be said to illustrate the listener’s longing for the completed experience of art, both dramatically and harmoniously. To experience Tristan and Isolde is, seen in this light, to give in to one’s own longing.
For a consummate epic Wagnerafton
For Tristan and Isolde , we want to offer a complete opera experience with the possibility of food and drink, generous intervals and magnificent musical theatre, something that is completely in line with how Wagner himself envisioned his operas to be performed. In Wagner’s opera house in Bayreuth, you would be cleansed through art, food and nature and surrender to the theatre experience.
Three-course opera menu Tristan and Isolde: full-length
A three-course opera menu for the three-act version with two intervals can be booked in connection with your ticket purchase or afterwards via My Pages. Starters are served during the first intermission of 30 minutes and main course/dessert during the second intermission of 50 minutes.
The number of seats for the opera menu is limited. All dates are now fully booked.
Three-course opera menu Tristan and Isolde: highlights
Three-course opera menu for Tristan and Isolde – highlights in two acts with an intermission can be booked directly in Nova’s restaurant’s booking system. Book here.
For Tristan and Isolde highlights , intermission refreshments from the bistro can also be pre-ordered in connection with ticket purchases or via My Pages.
Bistro
The bistro offers an extended menu with light refreshments that can be purchased on site.
Hotel Offer
Long-distance guest? Here you will find great offers on accommodation in connection with our Saturday performances. Stay great, eat well and wake up refreshed for the journey home!
Read more about hotel offerArtistic Team & Cast
Composer and Libretto
Richard Wagner
Orchestral arrangements
David Björkman
Conductor
Eduardo Strausser
Director
Dan Turdén
Set Designer & Costume Designer
Kari Gravklev
Lighting designer
Mathias Lundgren
Mask Designer
Angelica Ekeberg
Opera singer
Isolde: Åsa Jäger
Tristan: Dimitris Paksoglou
Brangäne: Dorottya Láng
King Mark: Markus Schwartz
Kurwenal: Olle Persson
Melot, a shepherd and sailor’s voice: Kristofer Lundin
One mate: Anders Lundström
Norrlandsoperan’s men’s chorus
Musician
The Norrlands Opera Symphony Orchestra
