Bernstein conducts Tristan und Isolde

Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde is one of Bernstein’s most beautiful and brilliant opera recordings and still considered exemplary.

Leonard Bernstein’s way of conducting this opera is unique and he makes orchestra and singers perform at their very best. In this semi-staged performance from the Herkulessaal in Munich, he conducts the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks. It presents the top Wagner singers of the time: Peter Hofmann and Hildegard Behrens in the title roles as well as Yvonne Minton (Brangäne), Bernd Weikl (Kurwenal) and Hans Sotin (King Marke).

Bernstein’s 1981 recording of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde is still considered an outstanding interpretation and has set the bar until this day. When he heard this performance Karl Bohm said, “Bernstein has conducted Tristan und Isolde the way that Wagner intended it to be conducted”.

Original title Bernstein conducts Tristan und Isolde
Genre Opera
Recording location Herkulessaal in Munich, 1981
Duration 265 mins
Production Company Bayerischer Rundfunk
Composer Richard Wagner
Orchestra / Band Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Conductor Leonard Bernstein
Choir Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Soloist Peter Hofmann, Hildegard Behrens, Yvonne Minton, Bernd Weikl, Hans Sotin