★★★★☆ Stuart Skelton earns top laurels as Wagner’s tortured hero.

London Coliseum
June 15, 2016

This was the first production since the appointment of new Artistic Director of ENO Daniel Kramer. So much is riding on his future contribution to help save the company that he must have felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. For the most part his directorial concepts worked well, and according to the opera grapevine he appeared to have the trust of his singers. He was well supported by an excellent conductor in Edward Gardner and impressive set designs by the well-known sculptor Anish Kapoor.

Kramer seems to understand what is happening in the score and holds together a reasonably consistent vision with moments of real insight. I particularly like the way he seems to understand the central dilemma in Isolde’s mind, ably helping to demonstrate the layers of her inner conflict. At other times he seems to lose a little, introducing elements that appear to be mere gimmickry. Tristan and Isolde being strapped to hospital beds by King Marke’s men during Act 2 is a case in point. Also having the lovers clamber over rocks and attempting rapturous poses does nothing to...