Metropolitan Opera: Tristan and Isolde

WAGNER'S Romantic epic

A tale as old as time, (or at least one thousand years) Tristan and Isolde has long been considered the ultimate tale of passionate, romantic love in forbidden circumstances. With its universal theme of all-consuming love and bitter-sweet tragedy - it fits perfectly into Wagner's repertoire of epics. This new staging from Mariusz Trelinski promises to capture the power and pain of this ancient love triangle, in a large scale production, that brings the action into modern times, beginning on a lavish passenger ship in the Irish sea. Starring Christine Goerke and Stuart Skelton, conducted by Hartmut Haenchen.

AS SURELY AS NIGHT FOLLOWS DAY, PASSION WILL UNDO THEM: THE STORY OF TRISTAN AND ISOLDE

King Mark of Cornwall has plenty to be worried about: his enemy Morholt of Ireland is threatening invasion and a charismatic stranger, Tristan has turned up in their midst. Together they take on the fight and on winning, form a strong bond. But when Mark asks Tristan to go to Ireland and get the beautiful Isolde to be his bride, Tristan quickly falls in love with the enigmatic princess. On their return to Cornwall, their affair, aided by a nefarious love potion, carries on, causing chaos in the lives and the hearts of the three, with effects that will change all of them forever...