Great expectations surrounded, for several reasons, the premiere of the new production of Tristan und Isolde at Gran Teatre del Liceu. Chief among them was the fact that Lise Davidsen, one of the most highly regarded Wagnerian sopranos of the present day, would be singing Isolde for the first time in her career, one of the most demanding female roles in the operatic repertoire in every respect. Another source of expectation was that a woman, Susanna Mälkki, would be taking the...

Following Der fliegende Holländer, Tannhäuser, which premiered in 1845, is acclaimed as Richard Wagner’s second mature opera and, set in thirteenth century Germany, tells of the eponymous minstrel-knight. Feeling that the world does not understand his art as a singer, he has fled to Venusberg where he enjoys the love of Venus. After being there for a while, however, he becomes restless and longs for his former life, and especially Elisabeth who he left behind. A...

Harry Kupfer´s production of 2000 is very restricted and back to the essantials of good singing and acting of all participants. The stage throughout all acts is dominated by a big amor fallen on stage, his wings widespread symbolising the fallen love, ready to be freed again. Daniel Barenboim conducts his Staatskapelle Berlin  monstrous voluminous sometimes missing the romantic passages and signs of salvation and liberation. Strong forte pushes the singers to give their...