Wagner's triumphant performance concludes the Festival de Lanaudière event
In the heart of Quebec, Canada, the 2025 Lanaudière Festival concluded with a triumphant performance of Wagner's Tristan und Isolde. Under the baton of renowned conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, a stellar cast of international opera stars graced the stage.
Stuart Skelton, a 57-year-old Australian tenor, took on the male title role of Tristan. His voice was described as beautiful, yet his high notes were often laborious, adding a unique nuance to the character's emotional journey.
Tamara Wilson, an international opera singer from Arizona, was the lead in the performance as Isolde. Her voice was powerful, capable of a wide range of colours, perfectly capturing the passion and longing of the opera's heroine.
Franz-Josef Selig, a 60-year-old German bass, delivered an emotional performance as King Marke. Christopher Maltman delivered a solid performance as Kurwenal, Tristan's loyal friend. Matthew Cairns, a tenor, impressed with his voice in the roles of Herder and Sailor.
Sean Michael Plumb and Geoffrey Schellenberg, both baritones, gave effective performances in their respective roles as Melot and Steersman.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin guided each motif with precision, moving from a loving and breathing Prelude to a dynamic conduction throughout the four-hour performance. He conducted the Metropolitan Orchestra and the Metropolitan Choir, ensuring a harmonious and powerful delivery of Wagner's masterpiece.
The performance was a concert version of the opera, yet the stalls were quite full, and the lawn was half-occupied, indicating a good attendance. The audience left the venue dreaming of the blessed evening for a long time, having witnessed a high-caliber production by some of the world's finest opera stars.
While specific critical evaluations from the festival or press are not available, the participation of these internationally recognized opera stars and the prominent conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin indicate a production of the highest quality. The 2025 Lanaudière Festival's performance of Tristan und Isolde by Wagner will undoubtedly be remembered as a highlight in the festival's history.
- The 2025 Lanaudière Festival's performance of Tristan und Isolde by Wagner, which featured arts from various countries, also included a selection from movies-and-tv, as renowned conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin chose to present the concert version of the opera.
- The movies-and-tv industry and the world of arts, including opera, offered a spectacular fusion during the 2025 Lanaudière Festival, as the performance of Tristan und Isolde by Wagner showcased the talents of international stars like Stuart Skelton, Tamara Wilson, and Yannick Nézet-Séguin.
