Richard Wagner - Tristan und Isolde (Herbert von Karajan)

Information

Composer: Richard Wagner

• Tristan und Isolde

Jon Vickers

Helga Dernesch

Christa Ludwig

Walter Berry

Karl Ridderbusch

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Herbert von Karajan, conductor

Date: 1972 / 2025

Label: Warner Classics

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Finally available again on digital platforms, this version of Tristan und Isolde is one of the greatest operas ever recorded. Jon Vickers was undoubtedly one of the finest Wagnerians of his generation, and his pairing with Helga Dernesch on stage is perhaps the most moving in the entire discography. The rest of the cast featuring Christa Ludwig and Walter Berry is equally impressive. Karajan's sense of drama and the richness of his orchestra at the height of its artistry make this recording an absolute must-have.

Herbert von Karajan (1908–1989) was one of the most influential conductors of the 20th century. A Salzburg-born prodigy, he studied at the Mozarteum and made his conducting debut in 1929. After early posts in Ulm and Aachen, he gained prominence with the Berlin State Opera before World War II. Despite his Nazi Party membership, he was cleared after the war and went on to a stellar career, leading the Berlin Philharmonic from 1955 to 1989. Karajan also directed the Vienna State Opera, La Scala, and the Salzburg Festival, shaping modern orchestral performance with his precision, polish, and pursuit of sonic perfection.