The Seattle Opera will present Richard Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde July 31 through August 21, 2010. The company last staged Tristan in August 1998.

The new production of Tristan will be directed by Peter Kazaras, who is staging his first production of the opera, with costumes and sets designed by Robert Israel. Asher Fisch, principal guest conductor at Seattle Opera, will lead the production.

Tristan und Isolde tells a tale of longing. The two lovers, Tristan and Isolde, seek constantly to consummate their love, united finally only in death.

Swedish soprano Annalena Persson will make her United States debut as Isolde, with tenor Clifton Forbis singing Tristan. Several veterans of Seattle Opera’s Ring des Nibelungen production will return to Seattle for next summer’s Tristan.

Further details about Seattle Opera’s 2010/11 season will be announced at a later date.