Lost, confused, and frightened, Melisande is coerced into marrying the overbearing prince Golaud, and in her marital melancholy, the young bride grows close to her handsome brother-in-law, Pelleas. Golaud’s rage sets the stage for this timeless tale of forbidden love, family jealousy, and regret.
Debussy’s luminous orchestrations propel the drama to ecstatic heights, the music a striking contrast to the lean new production by Dutch director Jetske Mijnssen.