Does the Curse of Tristan exist? Some think so, due to problems that plagued Wagner's opera "Tristan und Isolde" even before it's premiere performance.

Wagner started composing the musical drama in 1857, during a troubled time in his own personal life. Before he completed the work, his wife abandoned him; then, due to numerous financial problems, the opera didn't premiere until 8 years after it was completed!

Days before the show opened, Malvina Schnorr von Carolsfeld (who sang the role of Isolde) lost her voice and the premiere date had to be moved from 15 May 1865 to 10 June 1865.

Then, on the 21st of July, her husband Ludwig Schnorr von Carolsfeld (who sang the role of Tristan) passed away at the tender age of 29 due to causes unknown. This drove Malvina to end her career, even though she was at her vocal peak.

Decades later, the curse reared it's head again. On the 21st of June, 1911, conductor Felix Mottl suffered a heart attack while conducting the technically demanding second act, falling forward into the violin pit.

While conducting the same piece of music in the second act, Joseph Keilberth also suffered a heart attack on 20 July 1968.

In the second act of the opera, Tristan asks Isolde to follow him into death. Is the Curse of Tristan mimicking real life, or are these unfortunate happenings just a coincidence?