The last time I saw a live performance of Tristan und Isolde was in the Gaiety Theatre in 1963. I was 24 years young and was just beginning to discover the wonder and the power of Wagner's music.
Fifty years later I'm still on that road of discovery!
This Tristan was a wonderful experience. Miriam Mulhall was a glorious Isolde. Not a tremolo in her voice at any time, even when she reached the pinnacle of the Leibestod.
Imelda Drumm sang Brangane with great feeling. (Where are we getting all the wonderful female singers we have in Ireland?) Lars Cleveman's Tristan was excellent, especially in the third act. Manfred Hemm was the essence of nobility and sang his narrative in the first act movingly. There really wasn't a weak performance from any member of the company.
The conductor, Fergus Sheil, and the RTE National Symphony Orchestra played brilliantly and never overpowered the singers.
Altogether, a wonderful Isolde and worthy of the city of her birthplace.