Specially Built Wood Horn Sounds at Met Opera's 'Tristan und Isolde'

The nearly 4-foot holztrompete, a wooden horn constructed to Wagner's specifications, signals the arrival of Isolde's ship in the opera.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 8:39pm

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About 4.5 hours into Wagner's opera 'Tristan und Isolde', a startling sound emerges from the wings - a nearly 4-foot wooden horn known as a holztrompete, specially constructed to the composer's specifications. The holztrompete signals the arrival of the ship carrying Isolde and King Marke to Brittany, inspiring the mortally wounded Tristan to hang on to life for a few more moments.

Why it matters

The holztrompete is a unique instrument that Wagner himself called for in the score, though its exact details were somewhat ambiguous. Over the years, different versions of the instrument have been used in productions, with the current Metropolitan Opera version being a recreation of what Wagner may have envisioned.

The details

The Met's principal trumpet, Billy R. Hunter Jr., plays the wooden horn from stage left. The instrument measures a minimum of 46.5 inches and can be slightly lengthened by adjusting the tuning slide. While the Wagner Tuba was invented in the 1850s, the holztrompete's details are more nebulous, with Wagner specifying an 'English horn' effect but also wanting it to sound like a 'very powerful natural instrument, such as the alphorn'.

  • About 4.5 hours after the first notes of 'Tristan und Isolde', the holztrompete sounds.

The players

Billy R. Hunter Jr.

The Metropolitan Opera's principal trumpet, who plays the holztrompete from stage left.

Lise Davidsen

The soprano starring as Isolde in the Met's new production of 'Tristan und Isolde'.

Michael Spyres

The tenor starring as Tristan in the Met's new production.

Ryan Speedo Green

The bass-baritone singing the role of King Marke in the Met's new production.

Mitch Weiss

A Met clarinetist who took over playing the tárogató, a woodwind used in previous Met productions of 'Tristan und Isolde', in the 1980s.

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What they’re saying

“You listen to the sound of the holztrompete and the imitation, it's a clear difference. It blows my mind to think that Wagner created it himself. How many humans have created an instrument? It really sounds like victory.”

— Ryan Speedo Green, bass-baritone

“Joyous”

— Billy R. Hunter Jr., Metropolitan Opera principal trumpet

What’s next

The Met's new production of 'Tristan und Isolde' featuring the holztrompete will run through April 4.

The takeaway

The holztrompete, a unique instrument specified by Wagner for 'Tristan und Isolde', has a long and varied history in productions of the opera. The Met's current version is a recreation of what Wagner may have envisioned, showcasing the composer's innovative approach to orchestration.