Tristan and Isolde at the Met

[sydneyboy]

I just read a report that the Met due to public demand are staging an additional performance of Tristan and Isolde in the current season. The sensational Lise Davidsen in the title role has captured the public imagination. She has just concluded a debut season in the role in Barcelona to huge critical acclaim. 

I saw her a few years ago in Don Carlo at Covent Garden and she received a rapturous reception. She has a magnificent voice and I have followed her career with interest ever since. Arguably the leading female singer in the world at the moment.
 

 

 

[sutherland]

I have only seen Tristan und Isolde twice - Heppner & Eaglen, Robert Dean Smith & Voigt.  Both sopranos were good.  The third act is murderous for the tenor.  Heppner, IMHO, was the most overrated tenor of his generation and he never made history as a Wagnerian tenor.  Robert Dean Smith had a light voice and Tristan was not his role.

[sydneyboy]

The Tristan in the current Met production is Michael Spyres and received good reviews. Astonishingly he still singing Nemorino on the Elixer of Love! It’s hard to imagine a greater contrast.

[Bokomaru]

Actually I think there’s quite a bit of emperor’s new clothes going on here regarding Spyres. He was not up to the task at all. And putting him next to the biggest voice in opera only highlighted how weak he was; barely audible in parts. This is Wagner! I hope he goes back to the repertoire that he can actually sing.
 
Also, I will very much avoid seeing anything with Ryan Speedo Green in the future. Not good. 

On the other hand Davidsen was worth the price of admission. Truly stunning. Too bad about the direction though. She and Spyres had zero chemistry. 
 

[sutherland]

On 3/15/2026 at 10:13 AM, Bokomaru said:

Also, I will very much avoid seeing anything with Ryan Speedo Green in the future. Not good. 
 

Have any of you discovered the Vocal Reckoning channel on youtube by ex-tenor Emilio Pons?  Here is his review of the Met's Tristan und Isolde and, at 12:25, he says Ryan Speedo Green was horrible - 

 

[Bokomaru]

Interesting review. Overall Tristan was worth seeing and I find this review way too negative. (Konieczny’s voice is ugly?? Gubanova has lost her shine? Cmon…)

He’s harsh but IMHO correct about Spyres  not being a good choice for the role. Such a shame. What a beautiful voice he has.