Wagner Opera Tannhäuser
A Romantic Drama in Three Acts, Wagnerian Love Theme
The three-act opera Tannhäuser was composed by Richard Wagner (May 22, 1813 – February 13, 1883). He also wrote the libretto in German. It was first performed at Dresden, October 19th, 1845, with Paris version March 13, 1861, Théatre Impérial de l'Opéra. Setting is in 13th Century Thuringia, Germany.
Tannhäuser:Main Characters List
- Heinrich Tannhäuser, former minstrel knight (tenor)
- Elisabeth, chaste princess, his beloved (soprano)
- Hermann Landgrave of Thuringia, Elisabeth's Uncle (bass)
- Venus, Goddess of love (soprano)
- Wolfram von Eschenbach, a minstrel knight (baritone)
- Walter von der Vogelweide (tenor)
Wagner's Opera Tannhäuser is much in the German romantic tradition and cast in conventional recitative, aria, ensemble and chorus. Beautiful lyrical passages include Elisabeth's two arias and Wolfram's song in Act III, and the Pilgrim's Chorus.
The theme of love through redemption is typically Wagnerian. Tannháuser story revolves around the singers' contest at the Wartburg castle and Tannháuser's behavior there.
Plot Summary / Synopsis of Tannhäuser
The Overture includes the Pilgrim's Chorus introduced in the wind and continued by the cellos, the Wartburg music, and Tannhäuser's praise song of Venus.
Act I
Scene 1. Venus' Grotto by the Wartburg, Germany
The former minstrel knight Tannháuser sleeps with his head in Venus's lap, while nymphs, fauns and satyrs dance and the distant voices of sirens are heard. He awakes and cries out and desires to see the spring. Venus asks him to sing of love. He does but his verse ends with a prayer to let him go. She tries to tease him to pleasure but he sings again and again with the same strain. Venus lets him go but foretells misery for him. He replies that his salvation rests in the Virgin Mary.
Scene 2: A Beautiful Valley with the Wartburg in the Background
Sheep bells and gay piping and a shepherd sings a poetic sing in praise of Mary. Minstrel knights discover Tannháuser, but he is reluctant to join them. Wolfram recognizes him, and he eventually relents at the mention of Elisabeth's name. He now desires to return to the Wartburg.
Act II
Scene: The Hall of Song in the Wartburg
Tannháuser's love, Elisabeth, greets the Hall of Song happily. Wolfram brings Tannháuser in and he reunites with Elisabeth while Hermann Landgrave announces that "love" is the theme of the contest for singers.
Wolfram offers an air about the virtue of chastity, and Tannháuser counters by praising sensual, earthly desire. The audience is horrified and there is confusion. Elisabeth shields Tannháuser and calls on the mob to allow him to work out his salvation. The Landgrave solemnly banishes him. Tannháuser vows to seek pardon in Rome as he goes on his pilgrimage.
Act III
Scene: Valley with the Wartburg in the Background
Wolfram observes Elisabeth as she awaits Tannháuser. Failing to see him among returning pilgrims, she beseeches the Virgin Mary to take her life, and leaves to die at the Wartburg. Wolfram finds Tannháuser, who bitterly recounts his travel and the pope's verdict that he will never gain redemption. In despair, Tannháuser entreats Venus to receive him.
Finally, Wolfram utters the name of Elisabeth, whose bier at that moment is being escorted by a procession from the Wartburg. This time Elisabeth is interceding for him as an angel in heaven. Venus gives up on him and disappears. Tannháuser falls dead, but redeemed. The pilgrims' chorus sings triumphantly.
Sources:
Gilder, Eric. Dictionary of Composers and their Music. Sphere Reference, 1987
Morley, (Sir) Alexander F.. The Harrap Opera Guide. London: Harrap, 1970
Riding, Alan and Leslie Dunton Downer. Opera. London: Dorling Kindersley, 2006
Wagner's Tannhäuser Overture, Girl at the Piano
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