The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-01-17
STORY OF TRISTAN AND DS0lDE'
ONE OF THE OPERAS WHICH WILL BE HEARD BY THOSE AT.
TENDING THE ST. PAUL GRAND OPERA SERIES.
Christian and Isolde" music dramaia

Tristan and Isolde" music drama
in three acts. by Richard Wagner, is
generally considered tho finest ex-
ample of the masters genius: in it he
ing music n the drama without my
restriction whatever. In 1854, Wag-
ner. then living in exile at Zurich,
conceived the idea of setting the leg
end Of Tristan and Isolde" to music,
but he did not seek to work until
three years later when he received
an invitation from Dom Pedro. m
Rio do Janeiro and conduct the first
performance in the Brazilian capital.
Nothing came of this more than to
cause Wagner to make a beginning
on the opera. and it was finished in
the summer of 1859. 1t received its
first performance at the Royal Court
theater. Munich. on June 10. 1866,
low. Its first American production
took place at New York on December
1. 1886. with Anton Seidl, the COM
poser's pupil and friend, as conductor.
Though founded on the legend. the
drama itself was written by the COM
poser. The scene of the first act is
laid on board a ship on which Tristan
Is bringing Isolde. an Irish princess,
to be the bride Of his uncle Mark. king
of Cornwall. A young sailor. at the
masthead. sings a song addressed to
! his Irish sweetheart. This raises pas
sionate emotion in the heart of the
princess, who wishes that the winds
and waves might cngulf the vessel
and bring death to all on board. Her
maid, h faithful Brangane, who
loves her beautiful mistress, asks the
meaning of this outburst. and is told
that Tristan had been wounded in
battle by Morold. Isolde's betrothed,
whom he killed. Because of Isolde's
renowned ability to cure. Tristan-at
the point of death-had sought her
out and she had nursed him back to
health and strength. He told her his
name was Tantrts, but. one day. while
he was still Very weak she discovered
who he really was and she would have
slain him with his own sword but he
looked up into her eyes-and love
drove hate up into her heart.
h sends the maid to tell Tristan
she wishes to speak to him but he
replies that he cannot leave the helm
until the vessel is safe in habor. Isolde
is greatly incensed at his refusal. Her
love outraged. her pride hurt. she de-
termines to poison both Tristan and
herself. She orders Brangane to
bring the casket of magic philtres.
The maid recalls a love potion that
the queen had taught her it would
.huse love etWee
those drinking it.
Kurwenal. Tristan's squire, an
nounces that the ship is in the har-
Dor. and Tristan approaches to ask
pardon for seeming neglect during
the voyage, explaining that it was the
part Of both wisdom and honor for
him to have done 80. Isolde proposes
that they drink a cup of reconciliation
and the knight agrees. although he
knows 1t probably means poison and
death. But. unknown to her mistress,
BranEane has filled the cup with the
love potion Of the poison.
When Tristan has drunk half its
contents Isolde grasps the cup and
drains 1t to the last drop. For a mo-
ment they are seized with trembling,
they lower their eyes in confusion,
and then pa%ssionately clasp each 9TH
er. Brangane wrings her hands in
despair at the awful result Of what
she has done. While Tristan and
Isolde pour out their ecstatic love in