Germany Wagner, Tristan und Isolde: Soloists, Chorus and Extras of Philharmonic Orchestra of Staatstheater Cottbus / Alexander Merzyn (conductor). Staatstheater Cottbus, 4.5.2025. (DM-D)
Tristan und Isolde is set aboard the ship taking Isolde to get married to Tristan’s uncle, King Marke. Philipp Fürhofer, in charge of the set design for this 2023 production, created not the umpteenth idea of a conventional vessel, but a space ship instead. The curtains opened to reveal a kind of viewing deck with a large central window, flanked by two slightly smaller windows angled to its left and right. They had transparent plastic sheeting instead of glass, which accounted for distorted mirrored reflections of what was in front or behind them. Typical video footage of outer space, familiar from sci-fi films and television, was projected on the invisible screens behind those windows. On occasion the windows were raised out of view, into the frame, to reveal an area suggestive of a forest, for the love duet between Tristan and Isolde in Act II, or an interior for the appearances of the king in Acts I and II.
The ship’s crew were wearing silvery body suits and matching head and face helmets, Tristan and Kurwenal wore not very distinctive non-uniform leisurely trousers and cardigan/pullover outfits in grey, while Isolde wore a more elaborate dress with a train and sashes in a shiny blue-grey fabric.
Those details were eye-catching in their own right, in the line with the plot and helped build the characters.
For this revival the State Theatre of Cottbus assembled a star cast of visiting singers to work with members of the resident company. Above all, Catherine Foster set the international standard as Isolde. Hers was an ideal achievement in every respect. Her voice was ever so nuanced. She soared above the orchestra, integrated into its flow. Her top notes were thrillingly ringing, pianissimos equally impressive, and the lower register of the voice no less powerful. Her final ‘Mild und leise’ began with an aerial quality, as if emerging from a distant galaxy, carrying reminiscences of other forms of life. As its drama increased, it became a true fanfare of female empowerment and beauty.
Bryan Register has been a favoured choice in the role of Tristan across Europe, predominantly for German mid-size opera companies and houses, and this performance showed why this is the case. His voice was pleasantly lyrical for Act II and with sufficient power and stamina for the highly dramatic material in Act III. Here he reached his limits on occasion, but his sound technique allowed him avoid exceeding them.
Christa Mayer brought her widely acclaimed Brangäne to Cottbus, Albert Dohmen was impressive as King Marke, although I wondered whether an originally bass-baritone voice, once outstandingly employed in the portrayal of Wotan, is best suited for Marke in comparison to a voice starting out as bass.
The members of the Cottbus company made a valuable contribution to the overall achievement. Nils Sträfe was strong as Melot and the Steersman; the same was true for Hardy Brachmann as the Shepherd and the Voice of the Young Sailor. Above all, Andreas Jäpel impressed as Kurwenal, with his melodious, well-balanced baritone.
General Music Director Alexander Merzyn created broad swathes of sound from his orchestra, particularly relishing the lower strings. With this outstanding cast, he did not have to hold back, he was never in danger of drowning any one of them.
Daniel Meyer-Dinkgräfe
Featured Image: Staatstheater Cottbus © Marlies Cross
Production:
Director – Stephan Märki
Set design – Philipp Fürhofer
Costume design – Hannah Barbara Bachmann, Philipp Fürhofer
Collaboration Set design – Anna Schöttl
Collaboration Costume design – Anna Wunderskirchner
Lighting design –Diego Leetz
Video – Bahadir Hamdemir
Chorus director – Christian Möbius
Assistant chorus director – Christian Georgi
Choreography / Co-director – Christina Comtess
Dramaturgy – Julia Spinola
Cast:
Tristan – Bryan Register
Isolde – Catherine Foster
Kurwenal – Andreas Jäpel
King Marke – Albert Dohmen
Brangäne – Christa Mayer
Melot / Steersman – Nils Sträfe
A Shepherd / Voice of a Young Sailor – Hardy Brachmann