, Tristan und Isolde is a paean to love and longing, themes immortalized in Richard Wagner’s monumental opera which will be performed at the Santa Fe Opera this summer. This ancient tale tells of the Irish princess who is taken from her land by the knight she loves to be wed to his uncle; the opera explores all the troubles that ensue from this scenario. Ms. Mays’ talk will introduce the sound world, the essence of the work, in music that guides Tristan and Isolde away from the dangers of treacherous Day to the rapture of Night. The Tristan Chord, a chord that changed the course of music, anchors this tale of doomed love throughout in terms of indescribable longing from the opening bars to the final moments of extraordinary resolution. Desirée Mays is an international speaker on opera, a radio producer, and author of the Opera Unveiled book series. She is known locally as the preview speaker for twenty seasons at SFO's Cantina Preview Dinners. Registration required: http://www.guildsofsfo.org/SantaFe/Events.html