Music Feature

The Real History of Opera: Tristan and Isolde

Tuesday 5 December 2006 13:30-14:00 (Radio 4 FM)

Repeated: Saturday 9 December 2006 15:30-16:00 (Radio 4 FM)

Huw Edwards uncovers the history and social context behind operas.

Tristan and Isolde by Wagner was claimed by many critics to have attained the highest summit of all music. On the other hand, many others condemned the work as being incomprehensible.

Huw attempts to understand the philosophy behind a passion so great it can only be consummated in death, and how music that never seems to resolve can be so beautiful.

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