Tristan und Isolde (1996)

That is disappointing considering that Tristan Und Isolde is my favourite Wagner opera. I did have a copy of it(recorded live a long time ago) hidden away for years at the back of the loft, and during a sort out I found it, and despite having reservations I sat down to watch it as I'd see any production of a favourite opera of mine regardless. The video was on its very last legs with poor quality(jumpy picture and muffled sound) so after the viewing I could no longer keep it. In a way it's sad as there were some aspects I liked, but overall there was no real desire to see the production again. What I did like aside from the magnificent music were the quite beautiful costumes and sets, the powerful orchestral playing, Brian Large's expert video directing, Matti Salminen's intensely moving King Marke, Alan Titus' loyal Kurwehnal and Ann Murray's likewise effective Brangane. Lorin Maazel's conducting did plod a bit, but still had effective parts like the prelude to Act 1. What I didn't like so much was that the chemistry between the two leads was lacking making the Act 2 love duet not as exciting or moving as it should've been, Hildegard Behrens' Isolde was well acted but the part requires a heavier and more dramatic voice, Jon Frederic West's Tristan was better than it was two years later under Mehta but there is still signs of vocal strain and a lack of any genuine involvement with the character and the staging while nothing offensive in general was on the dull side. Overall, not bad as such but I (aside from not being able to as of now it doesn't seem to be available now) I have no desire to see it again. 6/10 Bethany Cox