Wagner Tannhäuser (#53)

The Opera

Richard Wagner's Tannhäuser was first performed in Dresden in 1845, and the music is French grand opera in German.

The Minnisinger (German version of a troubadour) must choose between the sensuality of Venus and the simple love of home.

What is this opera about?  

The Minnesingers Tannhäuser and Wolfram were real people, but Tannhäuser is the subject of a myth where he spends a year in the grotto of Venus.  Everyone else in the story is horrified with this departure from the strictures of Christianity.  The plot of the opera covers the end of his time with Venus through his return to normal life.  I think it's probably all a myth.  Wagner was particularly attracted to German mythology. 

The Story

Act I

We are in the Venusberg.  There is an extended ballet called The Venusberg Music, followed by a duet between Venus and Tannhäuser.  After the dancing, Tannhäuser tells Venus that he has dreamed of the sound of bells and wishes to return to the surface where he will be able to see the sun and the seasons.  He has tired of constant love making.  He tells her he is leaving to follow the virgin Mary.

In the next scene he is found lying on the ground with his harp next to a roadside shrine to Mary.  Pilgrims pass by on their way to Rome.  Then a group of minstrels pass by and recognize him. Wolfram convinces Tannhäuser to return with him to bring comfort to Elisabeth who loves him.

Act II

Hit Tune

We are in the hall where the singing contest is to take place.   Elisabeth enters the hall of the singing competitions and knowing that Tannhäuser has returned, joyfully sings "Dich teure Halle" (treasured hall), the place where she fell in love with a singer.


This scene includes a singing competition where each contestant is to describe the true meaning of love.  Wolfram begins and describes an abstract and idealistic kind of love.  Everyone praises this except Tannhäuser who leaps up to sing that no one can know about love who has not been with Venus.  Everyone is shocked, especially Elisabeth.  Since this whole scene was arranged for the sake of Elisabeth, he realises he has messed up.  She pleads for them not to kill him, and he agrees to go to Rome with the pilgrims to seek forgiveness from the Pope. 

Act III

Finally we return to the road seen in the second scene.  Elisabeth is there waiting for the pilgrims to return from Rome.  We hear the famous pilgrim's chorus while she searches for Tannhäuser. 

Hit Tune

 

If he is there, it means the Pope has forgiven him.  He is not, and she goes off and dies.

Hit Tune

Wolfram sings the very beautiful "O du mein holder Abendstern" to the evening star, which curiously is Venus.  "Oh evening star, greet her as her soul passes by."  
 

 

Tannhäuser returns complaining bitterly and wanting to return to Venusberg.  The Pope has refused him.  We see Venus pleading in the distance, but when Elisabeth's body is brought in, he dies, too.  Too late they realize that the staff has bloomed, indicating that he is forgiven.

Complete Film