Tristan und Isolde / Metropolitan Opera

When King Marke is betrayed, Rene Pape makes his long, sorrowful monologue one of the opera’s centerpieces. Only three or four singers in the world can credibly handle these roles, so this cast is unquestionably the best one could hope for.“

– David Patrick Stearns, The Philadelphia Inquirer

The Met cast every character in the opera from strength, with only René Pape's magisterial Marke a known commodity in New York. Pape, whose melancholy dignity and sumptuously textured bass stole the show at the premiere of the met's last new 'Tristan,' in 1999, affirmed his kingly stature and musical acuity under Rattle's baton."

– F. Paul Driscoll, Opera News