Concert Society, Ltd., presents
'TRISTAN UND ISOLDE'
Act 3 of the opera by Wagner from the Royal Opera House,
Covent Garden
Scene: The courtyard of Tristan's castle, Brittany
Cast in order of appearance
The London Philharmonic Orchestra
Leader, David McCallum
Conductor, Sir Thomas Beecham Chorus Master, Robert Ainsworth
Producer, Charles Moor
The wounded Tristan lies on a couch. Kurwenal (baritone) and the shepherd (tenor) are on the lookout for the ship that is to bring Isolde from Cornwall. Kurwenal hopes her presence will help Tristan's recovery.
Tristan awakes and passionately asks for Isolde. He gets more and more agitated, until in a delirious paroxysm he even curses his love. Suddenly the shepherd's melancholy air changes to a gay tune: Isolde's ship has been sighted. Tristan tears the bandage from his wound and rushes to Isolde. But she is too late. For with her name on his lips, Tristan sinks lifeless to the ground.
A tumult is heard from outside : a second ship bringing King Mark and Brangane has just arrived. Believing the king to be pursuing Isolde, Kurwenal and his men attack the new-comers, and though himself mortally wounded, kills Melot. Brangane explains to Isolde that she has told the King about the love potion and that he has come only to forgive the lovers. But Isolde pays no attention and sinks dying upon the body of her dead lover.
Act 2 was broadcast in the Regional programme this evening at 8.30