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 this new Ibsen-esque production by Dutch director Jetske Mijnssen.

Ludovic Morlot conducts a stunning cast including baritone Benjamin Appl as Pelleas, soprano Lauren Snouffer as Melisande, and baritone Nicolas Courjal as Golaud. Sir Willard White makes his Dallas Opera debut as the grandfather Arkel, and mezzo-soprano Katharine Goeldner is the matriarch Genevieve.