I visited the LIVE Screening of MET's Tristan und Isolde
I really enjoyed it. The very first Tristan and Isolde Opera I saw was the one from 1983 which I have on DVD, it was the one with René Kollo. I liked this one a lot as it was very traditional in costuming and backgrounds. Over the Years I saw in Newspaper always the talk about more modern takes on Tristan and Isolde. Which made me really curious since I prefer the classic looks.
This Opera had a little change at the end in its telling. Nothing big to influence the overall story but it gives room for a new look and it’s open for interpretations. I personally wasn’t a big fan of it but I appreciated the intention behind it! Overall Yuval Sharon had inspiring ideas in how to portray the Play!
This Plays Background worked more with its special stage and light effects. There were many effects I really liked, for example the scene where Isolde Double holds up the Knife at Tristan’s Doubles Throat and on the higher up stage it would become the shape of said stage. It sounds a bit confusing but was a sight to behold!
The Costuming was great. I really love Clint Ramos' Work here and the Idea to give Isolde Green and Tristan Blue as Main Colours for she is resembling the Land and he the Sea was a genius approach. I get the costumes had a really nice balance of modernity and old fashioned costuming!
The Cast was grandios. I loved them all but I was especially fond of Lise Davidsen (Isolde) and Ekaterina Gubanova (Brangäne). Latter plays Brangäne knows since 20 years already because she likes the role so much! You can really tell the experience in her role! Tomasz Konieczny (Kurwenal) really bloomed into his Role and Ryan Speedo Green (King Marke) had such a sympathetic vibe to him, he really delivered the role of the tormented Marke so well!
Last but not least Michael Spyres as Tristan! I thought it was interesting that he said he is bipolar and that he finds it easy to relate to Tristan as he is a bipolar role too. He opened my eyes to a whole new view…! I liked his performance a lot too!
Act 1 is my favourite act so I was looking forward to it an god did it not disappoint. It even surpassed the 1983 Version for me. But when it comes to the Background and Scenery overall I really prefer the 1983 one. I found the surgery table a bit of an off look, I won’t lie, haha…
It was a blast. I really enjoyed it. It was a LIVE screening from New York! To think I was able to witness the Opera at the same time as many others did on another point on the globe is exciting…! Also today was the first day of spring! Quite Fateful to see the Tristan und Isolde Opera on the first Day of Spring, isn’t it? I call it a blessing!
