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2/1/2013

Tristan und Isolde: Ben is back!

View the story "Tristan und Isolde: Ben Heppner is Back!" on StorifyTristan und Isolde: Ben Heppner is Back!Critics and opera patrons alike are raving about the Canadian Opera Company's production of Tristan und Isolde, featuring the role debut of German soprano, Melanie Diener, and the return of Canadian tenor, Ben Heppner!Storified by CanadianOperaCompany· Fri, Feb 01 2013 13:45:47Tristan und Isolde, 2013Canadian Opera

"Ben Heppner was magnificent Tuesday night on the stage of the Canadian Opera Company. Stunning, open-hearted, in robust and thrilling voice, creating a dramatic homecoming that banished all worrisome thoughts anyone might have had about this remarkable performer. As he told several interviewers in the days leading up to Tuesday’s performance, with just a hint of belligerence and pride: “I’m back.” Indeed, he is." - Robert Harris, The Globe and Mail.

12-13-03-MC-D-0708Canadian Opera

"It’s a transcendent experience. That is simply the only way to describe the COC production of Tristan und Isolde that opened at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts on Tuesday night." - Richard Ouzounian, The Toronto Star.

Tristan und Isolde, 2013Canadian Opera

**"Ben Heppner was in grand form, hailing the love potion in clarion tones in Act 2 and bringing us thoroughly into his world of exalted suffering in Act 3." - Arthur Kaptainis, The National Post.**

Tristan und Isolde, 2013Canadian Opera

"German soprano Melanie Diener is an ideal Isolde. She has a full, rich, liquid tone without a trace of the harshness that often mars the voices of some Wagnerian sopranos and commands enormous power." - Christopher Hoile, Stage Door.

Tristan und Isolde, 2013Canadian Opera

"Franz-Josef Selig projected a defeated, desperate melancholy as the betrayed King Marke in his two enormous solos in Acts 2 and 3. Each was spellbinding." **- Robert Harris, The Globe and Mail.**

Tristan und Isolde, 2013Canadian Opera

"...the production itself, directed by globally renowned Peter Sellars with videos by acclaimed American artist Bill Viola, is one of the most dramatic, moving and resonant operatic experiences the COC has ever presented." - Robert Harris, The Globe and Mail.

Tristan und Isolde, 2013Canadian Opera

"Alan Held was powerful and menacing as Tristan’s comrade, Kurneval, with an immense stage presence. Daveda Karanas sang the role of Isolde’s companion, Brangane (for whom Wagner wrote some of the most beautiful music in the opera) with conviction and verve." - Robert Harris, The Globe and Mail.

For a peek at the performance, watch our montage video from the production.

Scenes from Tristan und IsoldeBrightcove

Our audience shared their excitement and praise on Twitter too.

Incredible #TristanUndIsolde last night. Thank you @benheppner @Louisianadiva @operalan @ryanmckinny & @CanadianOpera ! Couldn't be prouderAlexander NeefTranscendent #TristanUndIsolde thanks to @CanadianOpera @Operalan @Louisianadiva @alexanderncoc Melanie Diener and @benheppnerRyan McKinnyUnforgettable-lying on stage, hearing/feeling the Liebestod from Melanie Diener and the @CanadianOpera orchestra. My first #TristanUndIsoldeRyan McKinnyWow! The @canadianopera's "Tristan Und Isolde" was outstanding. Bravo to @alexanderncoc. So great to see @benheppner back with the COC.Nicholas Mellamphy#TristanundIsolde Really felt like I experienced something wonderful tonight. Truly remarkable artistry! @CanadianOpera @benheppnerMichael CiufoDear @CanadianOpera: you are amazing. That is all. #TristanSally SparrowTonight, gods work here. #Nirvana #Tristan #FourSeasons @CanadianOpera @Operalan @benheppner @Louisianadiva @alexanderncoc #historicCameron McPhailTristan und Isolde, 2013Canadian OperaAct II: #Tristan, Isolde, King Marke, betrayal, Melot, stabby; Oh snap! Shit just got real! @CanadianOperaWayne Leung@Operalan Not sure how we keep getting you to come back to the #coc year after year! Highlight of this evening's #TristanDylan HaydenThe perfect #Tristan production! The video really captured the emotion and the image of the music. I did hear the light! @CanadianOperaJerry MaoWords can't quite convey the impact of @CanadianOpera #Tristan. A breathtaking, riveting and visceral experience.Toronto is lucky indeed.Sarah JarvisGreat first opera experience seeing Tristian & Isolde at @CanadianOpera company last night. Was quite the marathon but definitely worth it!Tasha DiLoretoWOW! What a magnificent #Tristan @CanadianOpera @benheppner hit it out of the park and so did every other artist involved. A privilege.Ali KashaniWagner's TRISTAN UND ISOLDE is an absolutely sublime, beautiful, and transcendent masterpiece. So happy I saw it tonight. @CanadianOperaDavid A. GasparLights came up at midnight after @CanadianOpera's #Tristan. Act 3 was a stunner. I've never seem death portrayed so beautifullyJanet Berkman#Tristan und Isolde @CanadianOpera: Well worth the wait! Gorgeous musical performances intermingled with beautiful visual imagery. Bravo!Carolyn HagueAnd because everybody asks the question, "What do you do backstage during such a long opera?"#Tristan is a long opera. What did the dressers & makeup artists do while we were on stage? Play a game of @CAH, duh! http://pic.twitter.com/sv0sJCYADaveda KaranasTristan und Isolde runs until February 23, 2013 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Tickets can be purchased online at coc.ca or on the phone (416) 363-8231. Looking for more updates? Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest, or visit us at coc.ca.

Posted by Danielle D'Ornellas / in Tristan und Isolde / comments (0) / permalink

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Sara Fulgoni in the COC production of Bluebeard's Castle. Photo: Michael Cooper © 2001

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