"The piece is steeped in Schopenhauer's meditations on the futility of worldly striving and the necessity of accepting oblivion. It is also infused with Wagner's paganistic worship of desire and his matchless ability to translate longing into perpetually unresolved musical phrases."
"During my time in the classical-music watchtower, I've seen a dozen or so productions of the opera, and something is always out of whack-often, many things."
"Perhaps the most striking thing about 'Tristan' is the way it combines the metaphysical-philosophical with the psychological-realistic."
Michael Spyres showcases a remarkable vocal range at the Met, delivering a stunning performance. In contrast, Lise Davidsen's power diminishes when she moves away from her brilliant upper register. Richard Wagner's 'Tristan und Isolde' is noted for its complexity, blending metaphysical themes with psychological realism. The opera reflects Schopenhauer's thoughts on the futility of striving and Wagner's exploration of desire through unresolved musical phrases. Various productions have struggled with execution, yet some have approached excellence, revealing the opera's depth and challenges.
Read at The New Yorker
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