the Epic Love Story of Tristan and Isolde

A legendary opera, a cornerstone of Romanticism. Tristan, a knight torn between duty and desire, has captured the Irish princess Isolde, delivering her as a trophy to his uncle, King Marke. But Isolde, burning with hatred and despair, seeks to end both their lives. When her maid swaps the poison meant to kill them with a powerful love potion, an unstoppable romance is ignited. Though doomed from the start, their love becomes an all-consuming force, compelling them to risk everything to be together.

As they meet in secret, the world around them falls away, leaving only their passionand the tragic consequences that await. When King Marke discovers their affair, Tristan is banished, leaving the lovers to confront the ultimate question: Can they find a realm vast enough to contain their love, or will it destroy them?

About SFO's Tristan And Isolde

Prepare to be swept away by one of the most powerful love stories ever told as Richard Wagner's Tristan and Isolde returns to the stage this fall. From October 19 to November 5, 2024. Under the guidance of Music Director Eun Sun Kim, this production marks the first time in 18 years that Wagner's transcendent score returns to our stage to enchant a new generation.

The cast features tenor Simon O'Neill as Tristan and soprano Anja Kampe as Isolde. They are joined by baritone Wolfgang Koch as Tristan's loyal companion Kurwenal, mezzo-soprano Annika Schlicht as Isolde's confidante Brangne, and bass Kwangchul Youn as the noble but heartbroken King Marke.

Stage director Paul Curran and production designer Robert Innes Hopkins, along with lighting designer David Martin Jacques, craft a visually stunning world for an epic tale.