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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, Brangæna,
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
her lover, and her heart breaks: in death alone are they united.
* * * * *
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ
TRISTAN
KING MARK
ISOLDA
KURVENAL
MELOT
BRANGÆNA
A SHEPHERD
A STEERSMAN
SAILORS, KNIGHTS, AND ESQUIRES
TRISTAN AND ISOLDA.
ACT I.
[_A pavilion erected on the deck of a ship, richly hung with
tapestry, quite closed in at back at first. A narrow hatchway at one
side leads below into the cabin_.]
SCENE I.
ISOLDA _on a couch, her face buried in the cushions.
--_BRANGÆNA_ holding open a curtain, looks over the side of the
vessel_.
THE VOICE OF A YOUNG SAILOR (_from above as if at the
mast-head_).
ISOLDA (_starting up suddenly_).
What wight dares insult me?
(_She looks round in agitation_.)
Brangæna, ho!
Say, where sail we?
BRANGÆNA (_at the opening_).
Bluish stripes
are stretching along the west:
swiftly sails
the ship to shore;
if restful the sea by eve
we shall readily set foot on land.
ISOLDA. What land?
BRANGÆNA. Cornwall's verdant strand.
ISOLDA. Never more!
To-day nor to-morrow!
BRANGÆNA. What mean you, mistress? say!
(_She lets the curtain fall and hastens to_ ISOLDA.)
ISOLDA (_with wild gaze_).
O fainthearted child,
false to thy fathers!
Ah, where, mother,
hast given thy might
that commands the wave and the tempest?
O subtle art
of sorcery,
for mere leech-craft followed too long!
Awake in me once more,
power of will!
Arise from thy hiding
within my breast!
Hark to my bidding,
fluttering breezes!
Arise and storm
in boisterous strife!
With furious rage
and hurricane's hurdle
waken the sea
from slumbering calm;
rouse up the deep
to its devilish deeds!
Shew it the prey
which gladly I proffer!
Let it shatter this too daring ship
and enshrine in ocean each shred!
And woe to the lives!
Their wavering death-sighs
I leave to ye, winds, as your lot.
BRANGÆNA (_in extreme alarm and concern for_ ISOLDA).
Out, alas!
Ah, woe!
I've ever dreaded some ill!--
Isolda! mistress!
Heart of mine!
What secret dost thou hide?
Without a tear
thou'st quitted thy father and mother,
and scarce a word
of farewell to friends thou gavest;
leaving home thou stood'st,
how cold and still!
pale and speechless
on the way,
food rejecting,
reft of sleep,
stern and wretched,
wild, disturbed;
how it pains me
so to see thee!
Friends no more we seem,
being thus estranged.
Make me partner
in thy pain!
Tell me freely
all thy fears!
Lady, thou hearest,
sweetest and dearest;
if for true friend you take me,
your confidant O make me!
ISOLDA. Air! air!
or my heart will choke!
Open! open there wide!
(BRANGÆNA _hastily draws the centre curtains apart_.)