TRISTAN + ISOLDE


“Dresden Semperoper and Richard Wagner have a special relationship, so it was a daunting prospect for choreographer, David Dawson and especially for composer Szymon Brzóska, to retell the ancient story of Tristan and Isolde, but they have succeeded and delivered an epic production that has inspired heroic performances.Szymon Brzóska has created a score to suit the epic scale with layers of rich instrumental sound and stirring dynamics that carry the tale through wars and over the seas.”


- Maggie Foyer, critical dance


Ballet in two acts.  
Perhaps the most challenging production I have faced in my career so far… For my second, thrilling collaboration with David Dawson I created an orchestral score (performed live by Staatskapelle Dresden) for the old myth of Tristan and Isolde. Writing music for narrative ballet is like writing music for film: the dramaturgy provides certain musical structure, different scenes and themes evoked specific atmospheres and emotional landscapes, translated into music. 





Choreography, Concept, Libretto & Staging: David Dawson
Music: Szymon Brzóska
Set Design: Eno Henze
Costume Design: Yumiko Takeshima
Lighting Design: Bert Dalhuijsen
Dramaturgy: Valeska Stern
Conductors: Paul Connelly / Benjamin Pope
Semperoper Dresden, 2015