Think Wagner operas, and it’s usually a case of thinking big. Epic stories make for some of the genre’s longest operas, and they usually come with vast orchestras, exceptionally powerful voices and some of the grandest of grand drama to be seen on stage. It doesn’t, however, always need to be like this and, if it did, people living in the rural communities of Scotland’s Highlands would be unlikely to find any Wagner operas on their doorstep.

Making the case for a different sort of Wagner is The Mahler Players, a chamber orchestra of professional musicians who live and work in the Highlands. Tackling the monumental medieval romance of Tristan (the passionate hero whose love-match with Irish princess Isolde ultimately brings death for both), the ensemble’s Music Director, Tomas Leakey, reflects on the Players’ journey towards two Highlands concerts this weekend. ‘Since I first heard it live ten or so years ago, I’ve loved Wagner’s music. I’ve always wanted to do it, but you usually need such a big orchestra. But I then came across some arrangements and we did excerpts from Parsifal, which worked really well in reduced orchestra format.’ 

That success has now led to key scenes from Tristan And Isolde being presented in concert performance in Strathpeffer and Inverness in a specially commissioned arrangement from composers Matthew King and Peter Longworth. As an opera with an intensity where emotions run high but intimately, Tristan And Isolde suited downsizing even from its origins. ‘Interestingly,’ says Leakey, ‘Wagner wanted to premiere Tristan And Isolde in Munich, in a small, intimate theatre.’

Even though that particular wish wasn’t granted, it’s an opera which went on to make its mark in history, especially in its musical language. ‘For a lot of people, this could be them hearing opera for the first time,’ says Leakey, ‘and it’s such a great opportunity to hear this music that’s so amazing.’ Bringing that amazement to life is a genuinely stellar cast of soloists, featuring legendary bass Sir John Tomlinson as King Marke, Scottish soprano Lee Bisset as Isolde, and the dramatic tenor voice of Peter Wedd singing Tristan. 

The Mahler Players: Tristan And Isolde, Inverness Cathedral, Saturday 3 December, 8pm; Strathpeffer Pavilions, Sunday 4 December, 3pm.