Flagstad and Melchior - Tristan and Isolde "Love Duet", 1/2

"O sink hernieder" - The Love Duet from Act II of Tristan and Isolde - part 1 of 2

One interesting note on this recording - not only is Flagstad Isolde, but from 5:18 to 7:40 she is also singing the offstage part of Brangaene (this is a studio recording rather than a live performance). So this document is unique. It is the only recording of Flagstad as Brangaene.

To hear this duet's conclusion, click the response video.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Kirsten
• Flagstad
• Lauritz
• Melchior
• Tristan
• Isolde
• Wagner
• opera

[violinthief]

This is one of many videos I have uploaded that has been subjected to a phony copyright claim by "Rebeat Digital GmbH". This is a public domain recording. Please do not click on any links below the video. This criminal conduct by Rebeat Digital should not be rewarded.

[punainenpaholainen]

Why don't people sing like this anymore? Natural, unforced voices, therefore beautiful vibrato and no doubt of pitch. No competing in who's loudest (like today), singers understand they are part of the music. Here I hear what was written in the score! Younger, I used to dislike Wagner, but listening to this I get the point. Thank you!

[heimdallhinfrode]

Yes, you must! Every note and combination of notes is revolutionary in the evolution of music. The harmony is really what this opera is about. The reason you don't hear it yet is that it takes time and repeated listenings for the process to register. It's there and it's worth the effort. When it clicks, you will feel that you are listening in to the heartbeat of all music.

[grayson1934]

The likes of this will never be heard again. It's been 70 years and still unequaled. Sublime!

[petrof4056]

The best performance of this duet! It seems impossible to do better than this

[Operaddict]

Sublime is the only word for such music and singing. Heroic, honest, astounding in its simplicity and grandeur. Their like will never be heard again I fear.

[TexasClarinet]

@richard63545 This is the 1939 version with Edwin MacArthur conducting the San Francisco Opera. It's the only time that I know of that Flagstad and Melchior recorded duets in a recording studio. They also did duets from Parsifal, Lohengrin, and Gotterdammerung during that session.

[richard63545]

Anyone know what year and where this was recorded, it sounds like Bodansky is conducting but it couldn't be because the recording quality is too good?

[BritinIsrael]

There are just no Wagnerian singers like these any more. SAD!

[Biogiant22]

@ludwigna78 Ma non bestemmiare! Melchior è il più grande Tristano di sempre. Il Tristanissimo! Inaccettabile per il gusto di oggi? Un consiglio: lascia perdere Wagner. Non fa per te.

[waustad]

This is the performance I wore out on vinyl. I've tried to find it on CD but got some others that weren't quite as good. Magnificent!!!

[gundhari]

I can hear this duett with L.M and K.F. again and again. It is the top of the culture of singing never heard again since yet. It seems unrepeatable. How this two voices tie in together (with excellent orchester at that time) with beautyful and technical perfect and intelligent voices. Wagner would have been mostly content with this performance!!