Home > Tannhauser Wagner, R. (1813-1883) Tannhauser Composed 1843-1845; revised 1859-1861. First performed October 19, 1845; March 13, 1861. Libretto by the composer (in German). A Summary of “Tannhauser” Act 1 In the early 13th century, in Thuringen, Germany, Tannhauser who is a knight and minstrel spends time with Venus who is the Goddess of lust. But, Tannhauser is tired of the life with Venus. He leaves the forbidden place, Venusberg. Tannhauser goes back to reality, which is a place near the castle of Wartburg. Some friends of Tannhauser asked him where he had been until then. Tannhauser refuses to answer their questions, and he attempts to leave. Then, one of his friends, Wolfram, reminds him that Elisabeth, who was Tannhauser’s lover, has been waiting for him for a long time. Act 2 In Wartburg castle, Landgrave Hermann holds a song contest, and declares that the winner will be awarded the prize by his daughter, Elisabeth. Among a lot of nobles and knights, Hermann gives challengers the subject of their song. It is “Essence of Love.” Wolfram sings that Essence of Love is Platonic. But, Tannhauser sings that it is the pleasures of lust, and he praises Venus. The audience knows that Tannhauser visited Venus in the forbidden place, Venusberg. All people insist he be banished. However, Elisabeth appeals to them to stop. She asserts that she is the most deeply hurt. Landgrave Hermann orders Tannhauser to visit the Pope in order to pay for what he has done. Act 3 Several months later, Elisabeth doesn’t find Tannhauser among pilgrims from Rome. So, she decides to go to heaven. Then, Tannhauser comes back from Rome, and he tells his friend, Wolfram, that Tannhauser’s penitence was refused. Tannhauser attempts to visit Venus again. Wolfram stops him. Then, the coffin, in which Elisabeth is laid, is carried passed them. Tannhauser takes his last breath, because he is shocked to see her. But, his soul is saved. That is to say, Elisabeth’s death brings about his salvation. A Comment on “Tannhauser” You may think that all operas composed by Wilhelm Richard Wagner are difficult and are long. But, this opera, “Tannhauser,” is one of the easiest operas of Wagner’s. You can understand that music and story. Wagner often deals with some issues such as love, death, salvation in his operas. You can also understand these general ideas of Wagner’s. The music in this opera is easy, and you may know some famous melodies. This opera’s overture especially consists of many kinds of motif in this opera. If you listen to the overture many times, you can understand Wagner’s music more easily. The principal roles are the title role, Tannhauser, and the heroine, Elisabeth. But, I recommend you watch Wolfram closely too, who is Tannhauser’s friend. Wolfram also loves Elisabeth, but he never expresses his true feelings for Elisabeth. His behaviour seems to express just platonic love like in his song in act 2. He sings that essence of love is platonic. Wolfram also sings a beautiful aria, “O du mein holder Abendstern (Song to the evening star)” in act 3. Gluck, C. W. (1714-1787) 　- Orpheus and Eurydice Mozart, W. A. (1756-1791) 　- The Marriage of Figaro 　- Don Giovanni 　- Cosi fan tutte 　- The Magic Flute Beethoven, L. v. (1770-1827) 　- Fidelio Weber, C. M. v. (1786-1826) 　- The Magic Bullets Rossini, G. (1792-1868) 　- The Barber of Seville Donizetti, G. (1797-1848) 　- The Elixir of Love Verdi, G. (1813-1901) 　- Macbeth 　- Rigoletto 　- Il trovatore 　- La Traviata 　- Un ballo in maschera 　- Don Carlo 　- Aida 　- Otello 　- Falstaff Wagner, R. (1813-1883) 　- The Flying Dutchman 　- Tannhauser 　- Lohengrin 　- Tristan und Isolde 　- Die Meistersinger von Nuernberg 　- The Rhinegold 　- Die Walkure 　- Siegfried 　- Twilight of the Gods 　- Parsifal Offenbach, J. (1819-1880) 　- The Tales of Hoffmann Strauss, J. (1825-1899) 　- Die Fledermaus (The Bat) Bizet, G. (1838-1875) 　- Carmen Tchaikovsky, P. J. (1840-1893) 　- Eugene Onegin Massenet, J. (1842-1912) 　- Werther Humperdinck, E. (1854-1921) 　- Hansel and Gretel Puccini, G. (1858-1924) 　- La Boheme 　- Tosca 　- Madama Butterfly 　- Turandot Leoncavallo, R. (1858-1919) 　- Pagliacci Mascagni, P. (1863-1945) 　- Cavalleria Rusticana Debussy, C. (1862-1918) 　- Pelleas et Melisande Strauss, R. (1864-1949) 　- Salome 　- The Cavalier of the Rose Copyright (C) 2005-2014 Yusuke Kamiki. All Rights Reserved.