The Project Gutenberg EBook of Tristan and Isolda, by Richard Wagner

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Title: Tristan and Isolda
Opera in Three Acts

Author: Richard Wagner

Release Date: July 8, 2005 [EBook #16250]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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[Transcriber's note: The German text is not included in this eBook.]

GRAND OPERA
LIBRETTOS

GERMAN
AND ENGLISH TEXT
AND MUSIC OF THE LEADING MOTIVES

TRISTAN
UND ISOLDE

(TRISTAN AND ISOLDA)

BY
WAGNER

OLIVER DITSON COMPANY
BOSTON

CHAS. H. DITSON & CO
_New York_

LYON & HEALY
_Chicago_

TRISTAN
AND ISOLDA

_OPERA IN THREE ACTS_

BY
RICHARD WAGNER

BOSTON
OLIVER DITSON COMPANY

CHAS. H. DITSON & CO.
NEW YORK

LYON & HEALY
CHICAGO

THE STORY OF
"TRISTAN AND ISOLDA"

ACT I

Tristan, a valiant Cornish knight, is bringing Isolda, princess of
Ireland, over as a bride for his uncle, King Mark. He is himself in
love with her, but owing to a blood feud between them, forces himself
to conceal his passion. Isolda, in anger at his seeming unkindness,
attempts to poison herself and him, but her attendant, Brangaena,
changes the draft for a love potion, which enflames their passion
beyond power of restraint.

ACT II

Isolda has been wedded to King Mark, but holds stolen interviews with
Tristan, during one of which they are surprised, for Tristan has been
betrayed by a jealous friend, Melot. Touched by King Mark's bitter
reproaches, Tristan provokes Melot to fight and suffers himself to be
mortally wounded.

ACT III

Tristan's faithful servant, Kurvenal, has carried his wounded master
to his native home in Brittany, where he is carefully tended. Isolda
has also been sent for, as being skilled above all others in the
healing art. The excitement of her approach only hastens Tristan's
death, and he breathes his last sigh in her arms. Mark has followed
Isolda; he has had matters explained, and is prepared to reunite the
lovers, but it is too late. Isolda utters her lament over the body of
h