Potion, Emotion, Devotion: Wagner's Tristan und Isolde - a podcast by WQXR & The Metropolitan Opera

When we talk about “falling in love,” we talk about it like it is something that justhappens. Suddenly the ground opens up and we are falling for somebody, as if there is no choice in the matter. This is everywhere -- in movies, TV shows, novels, and of course, in opera. Take Wagner’sTristan und Isolde- while Tristan is bringing her across the Irish sea to marry his uncle Marke, King of Cornwall, they both drink a love potion and fall instantly, madly in love with each other.

But Isolde is still betrothed to King Marke, who catches them in a passionate night of love, and one of his men stabs Tristan, who later dies from the wound. Standing over his lifeless body, Isolde sings of her love for Tristan in her final climactic aria, the “Liebestod,” as their love triumphs over even death itself. Host Rhiannon Giddens and her guests explore forbidden passion, agonizing desire, and what it means to “fall” in love.

SopranoJane Eaglenis known for her portrayals of Wagner’s most commanding heroines, including Brünnhilde and Isolde. She actually met her husband during her first-ever production ofTristan und Isoldeat Seattle Opera,and she would find his seat in the audience each night and sing to him from the stage. She is on the voice faculty at the New England Conservatory.

Alex Rossis the music critic forThe New Yorkerand author ofThe Rest is NoiseandListen to This.He spent nearly a decade writing his most recent book,Wagnerism: Art and Politics in the Shadow of Music,which explores Wagner’s wide and complicated influence on art and politics. When he first heard Wagner’s music, he thought it was “messy, unsteady, and confusing,” butTristan und Isoldewas the opera that changed his mind.

Mandy Len Catronhas been studying and writing about romantic love for ten years. She wrote the essay, “To Fall In Love With Anyone, Do This,” forThe New York Times“Modern Love” column about how she and a friend fell in love by answering 36 questions and staring into each other’s eyes--almost like a modern-day love potion. The essay went viral shortly after its publication in 2015. She has also written the bookHow To Fall in Love With Anyone: A Memoir In Essays. To spice things up, she’s currently working on a book about loneliness.

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