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Tristan and Isolda: Opera in Three Acts

by Richard Wagner (1813–1883)

  • Free to read
  • 40 min read
  • 18 chapters
  • Reading level: 6th grade

"Tristan and Isolda: Opera in Three Acts" by Richard Wagner is a music drama composed between 1857 and 1859. Based on a medieval romance, the opera explores profound themes of insatiable human longing and transcendent love beyond death. Wagner drew inspiration from philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer and his muse Mathilde Wesendonck while creating this work. The opera's revolutionary harmony and famous opening "Tristan chord" marked a defining moment in modern music. Its advanced musical language divided early audiences but grew enormously influential, shaping generations of Western classical composers.

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  • Operas · Librettos
  • Tristan (Legendary character)
  • Iseult (Legendary character)

Read the opening

Act I

Tristan, a valiant Cornish knight, is bringing Isolda, princess of Ireland, over as a bride for his uncle, King Mark. He is himself in love with her, but owing to a blood feud between them, forces himself to conceal his passion. Isolda, in anger at his seeming unkindness, attempts to poison herself and him, but her attendant, Brangaena, changes the draft for a love potion, which enflames their passion beyond power of restraint.

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Contents

  1. Act I
  2. Act II
  3. Act III
  4. Scene I
  5. Scene II
  6. Scene III
  7. Scene IV: (KURVENAL boisterously enters through the curtains.)
  8. Scene V
  9. Scene VI
  10. Scene VII
  11. Scene I
  12. Scene II
  13. Scene III
  14. Act III: A Castle-Garden
  15. Scene I
  16. Scene II
  17. Scene III
  18. Scene IV: Melot. Woe's me! — Tristan! (He dies.)

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About this edition

This free edition of Tristan and Isolda: Opera in Three Acts by Richard Wagner comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #16250, released 2005-07-08. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Romance, Plays/Films/Dramas, Music.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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