Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde Returns to Amsterdam with Peltokoski’s Debut and a Legacy of Audi’s Vision
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A poignant return of Richard Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde to the Amsterdam stage is set to unfold from February 8 to 23, marking the first time Tarmo Peltokoski will conduct the full opera, a feat deeply rooted in his lifelong admiration for Wagner’s compositions. The production carries added weight as a tribute to the late Pierre Audi (1957-2025), the acclaimed director and former longtime conductor of the Dutch National Opera, who envisioned this staging a decade ago.
A Director’s Lifelong Obsession
Audi’s interpretation of Tristan und Isolde, which has previously graced stages in Paris and Rome, seeks to make the profound longing for love at the heart of Wagner’s work almost palpable. He approached the opera with abstract imagery, aiming to distill the raw emotional power of the story. This production stems from a deeply personal connection; Audi first encountered Tristan und Isolde at the age of eleven, an experience that left an indelible mark.
Preparing for the staging, Audi confessed to experiencing significant anxiety, particularly regarding the opera’s complex finale. “I was in a panic, I was especially worried about the finale – how will I solve this difficult scene?” he reportedly stated. His prior experience directing Wagner’s Ring of the Nibelung, Lohengrin, and Parsifal in Amsterdam proved invaluable.
Staging the Unstageable: Isolde’s Death
Audi believed that successful Wagner productions hinge on confronting the most challenging moments within each opera, identifying Isolde’s death as the ultimate test. He found a solution in collaboration with lighting artist Jean Kalman, utilizing the interplay of light and darkness to convey the character’s ecstatic demise. The final scene culminates in Isolde being reduced to a mere black silhouette, her presence defined solely by her voice.
“Thus The death of love becomes what it is – the epilogue of an opera, which is aimed at an unknown future,” Audi explained, articulating his vision for a finale that transcends the immediate narrative. Sadly, Audi passed away unexpectedly in Beijing last May, leaving behind a powerful artistic legacy.
Cast and Performance Details
Peltokoski will lead the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, of which he is the principal guest conductor, in this series of six performances. The role of Isolde will be undertaken by Swedish lyric-dramatic soprano Mālina Bistrem, celebrated for her portrayals of Salome, Tosca, and Elsa, making her debut in the role. Swedish tenor Mikael Weinius, having previously performed Tristan in Paris, Zurich, and Berlin, will assume the title role, with prior Wagner experience also garnered in Latvia.
Further information about the performances can be found at operaballet.nl.
