In November 2017, the Gran Teatre del Liceu presented a new production of Richard Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, under the musical direction of Josep Pons. Widely regarded as one of the greatest achievements in the history of opera, Wagner’s masterpiece returned to Barcelona in a production of major international significance.
Directed by Claus Guth, the staging offered a contemporary interpretation of Wagner’s drama, moving away from traditional symbolism to focus on the psychological depth of the characters. Originally created for the Teatro Real in Madrid and co-produced with several leading European opera houses, the production featured a striking set design by Christian Schmidt, placing the drama within a single symbolic space that evolved alongside the emotional journey of the protagonists.
The performances brought together an outstanding international cast headed by Petra Lang and Stefan Vinke as Isolde and Tristan, joined by Claudia Mahnke (Brangäne), Franz-Josef Selig (King Marke), Boaz Daniel (Kurwenal) and Francisco Vas (Melot). The extraordinary vocal and orchestral demands of the score made each performance a major artistic undertaking.
From the orchestra pit, Josep Pons delivered an interpretation distinguished by its rich orchestral colour, clarity of texture and carefully shaped dramatic architecture, highlighting the exceptional musical depth of Wagner’s score. These performances further strengthened the artistic project developed at the Gran Teatre del Liceu, reaffirming its commitment to the great Wagnerian repertoire.