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flag A newly built wooden horn, based on Wagner’s 1861 notes, debuts in the Met’s 2026 “Tristan und Isolde,” replacing past substitutes.

flag A newly crafted wooden holztrompete, based on Richard Wagner’s vague 1861 description of a powerful, natural wood instrument, has made its debut in the Metropolitan Opera’s 2026 production of “Tristan und Isolde.” The nearly 4-foot horn, built in Bremen, Germany, replaces earlier substitutes like the tárogató and Heckel-clarina used at Bayreuth and the Met. flag Played by principal trumpet Billy R. Hunter Jr. from stage left, the valveless instrument produces a haunting, resonant sound that signals key dramatic moments. flag Its return reflects ongoing efforts to honor Wagner’s original orchestral vision through historical reconstruction.

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