Tristan und Isolde (Feb. 23, 1963)

Composer: Richard Wagner
Librettist: Richard Wagner

Solti; Nilsson, Dalis, Liebl, Cassel, Hines

Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus

Approximate running time: 3 hrs. 19 min.

This is the only Met broadcast the legendary Birgit Nilsson sang with conductor Georg Solti. Wagner’s revolutionary music drama requires performers of exceptional vocal and dramatic abilities, and since Nilsson’s 1950 Met debut in the role, there was no soprano who could match her as the fiery Irish princess. Isolde is forced into marrying the aging King Marke (Jerome Hines), but her soul belongs to Tristan (Karl Liebl). Solti brings out the seething passion and otherworldly intensity in a masterful rendering of the score. Irene Dalis is Isolde’s companion Brangäne.