In 2003 Nikolkaus Lehnhoff directed a magnificent production of Tristan und Isolde at Glyndebourne. I had brought Lehnhoff to Glyndebourne in 1988 for the first of what turned out to be a series of Janacek productions. He had a series of huge successes for the house so he was the logical choice for this great project.
The Tristan was the fulfilment of a dream that the Sussex festival had harboured for generations - to bring Wagner to Glyndebourne. We had even, around the mid 1980s, put the orchestra through its paces in the old house with a memorable "rehearsal" of the Prelude and Liebestod conducted by Bernard Haitink who was Music Director at the time. It was agreed that we should wait for the new house to be built before having another go at realising the original vision of John Christie.
Between now and January 6 you can see a streaming of the performance recorded during the 2007 revival with the superlative Nina Stemme as Isolde, and Robert Gambill a Tristan perfectly scaled for the house. And by the way René Pape as King Mark, Bo Skovhus as Kurwenal, and Katerina Karneus Brangaene. Not shabby casting! The conductor is the Czech Jiří Bělohlávek eliciting marvelous playing from the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
This is all courtesy of The Guardian. You can see a short clip by clicking here. Otherwise go to the Guardian website and make time to watch the whole performance over the New Year holiday period.
Photo © Mike Hoban
Comments