A handful of Holocaust survivors tried to block the performance but failed to obtain restraining orders, including a petition to the Supreme Court on the eve of the performance. Acting on the judge's suggestion, the Wagner was prefaced with a 10-minute introduction citing the composer's genius along with his virulent anti-Semitic views. But it also included references to the impact the music had on Jewish leaders, including Theodor Herzl, who was said to have written some of his most important Zionist tracts with Tristan and Isolde playing in the background.