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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

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Opera on 3

Music: Classical: Opera

Programme presenting rare and fascinating operatic performances

Programme presenting rare and fascinating performances and vividly communicating the immediacy of the live experience

Opera on 3: Wagner: Tristan und Isolde at the Royal Opera House

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Wagner: Tristan und Isolde at the Royal Opera House

BBC Radio 3 - Opera on 3, Wagner: Tristan und Isolde at the Royal Opera House

Wagner's Tristan and Isolde from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Wagner's Tristan and Isolde at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, with soprano Nine Stemme and tenor Stephen Gould in the title roles, conducted by Antonio Pappano. From 2014.

"The most audacious and original work of my life" Wagner said of his epic opera Tristan and Isolde. The opera is based on the Celtic legend of Tristan and Iseult, an ill-fated love triangle. The eponymous couple meet onboard Tristan's ship as he brings Isolde from Ireland to Cornwall to marry his uncle, King Marke, sung by bass John Tomlinson. Isolde offers Tristan a deathly potion unaware that Isolde's maid Brangane, mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly, has switched this to a love potion and the two fall fatefully for each other. They continue to meet even after Isolde's marriage to King Marke, who is too broken-hearted to show his anger at Tristan's betrayal. Knowing their love cannot survive in this world, Tristan allows himself to be wounded by one of Marke's courtiers, and dies in Isolde's arms. In her liebestod, Isolde sings of the love that can only be fulfilled in death with Tristan. 
The star cast is led by soprano Nina Stemme as Isolde, and tenor Stephen Gould as Tristan. Antonio Pappano conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. 
Tonight's Opera on 3 is another chance to hear this stunning performance which was recorded and first broadcast in 2014.  It's presented by Christopher Cook who's joined by Wagner specialist Sarah Lenton.
 
 
Tristan.....Stephen Gould (Tenor)
Isolde.....Nina Stemme (Soprano)
King Marke.....John Tomlinson (Bass)
Kurwenal.....Iain Paterson (Bass)
Brangane.....Sarah Connolly (Mezzo-soprano)
Melot.....Neal Cooper (Tenor)
Sailor.....Ed Lyon (Tenor )
Shepherd.....Graham Clark (Tenor)
Steersman.....Yuriy Yurchuk (Bass-baritone)
Royal Opera House Orchestra
Royal Opera House Chorus
Antonio Pappano (Conductor)

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