Wagner: Tristan und Isolde (2008): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2008, Wagner: Tristan und Isolde is a music film directed by Nikolaus Lehnhoff, running about 240 minutes. “Wagner's Tristan und Isolde – Music-drama in three acts” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Glyndebourne's celebrated production of Nikolaus Lehnhoff's Tristan und Isolde is a supremely intelligent achievement; gravely beautiful, haunting and meditative, it is deeply reflective rather than visceral, fortified by Roland Aeschlimann's stunningly effective set, a womb-like space through which the protagonists move like gods. Conductor Jiří Bělohlávek mirrors Lehnhoff's approach in his sophisticated plumbing of the score's depths, with every shift in texture carefully laid bare by an inspired London Philharmonic Orchestra. Nina Stemme's Isolde and Robert Gambill's Tristan, both gloriously lyrical, are matched by superb performances from René Pape as the betrayed and vulnerable King Marke and Bo Skovhus as Kurwenal, deeply touching in his helpless devotion to Tristan. This High Definition recording of a production of uncommon intimacy reveals the opera's music and drama in a new light.

Who’s in it. Wagner: Tristan und Isolde stars Robert Gambill as Tristan (tenor), René Pape as König Marke (bass), Nina Maria Stemme as Isolde (soprano) and Bo Skovhus as Kurwenal (baritone), among others.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Wagner: Tristan und Isolde page.

If you liked it. Fans of Wagner: Tristan und Isolde tend to enjoy Whiplash, Coco, Green Book and The Legend of 1900.