Richard Wagner - Tannhäuser - act 1^ part 1

"Tannhäuser", german opera in three acts. Music and text by Richard Wagner (1813-1883).
Picture: Tannhauser in the Venusberg.

Tannhäuser ("Tannhäuser und der Sängerkrieg auf Wartburg") is an opera in three acts based on the two germanic legends of Tannhäuser and the song contest at Wartburg; the story centres on the struggle between sacred and profane love, and redemption through love. The libretto of "Tannhäuser" combines the mythological elements of german opera and the medieval history of French Grand Opera; Wagner brings these two together by constructing a plot involving the 14th century Minnesingers and the myth of Venus and her realm of Venusberg. Both the historical and mythological are united in Tannhäuser's character, as he was a historical poet composer, but little is known about his life other than myths that surround him. Furthermore, half of the opera takes place in a historical setting (Wartburg, in Eisenach), and the other half takes place in the mythological Venusberg.
With "Tannhäuser", as with the previous "Der Fliegende hollander", Wagner brings german romantic opera to its extreme limits: in these works he breaks the traditional plan of the scenes with arias, duets, chor and he grants the text all its centrality, but without arriving yet to that fusion between words and music which he realizes in "Der Ring des Nibelungen". However there are innovations that strengthen the expressive power of music: reflecting the polarity of the social reality ( the conservative Wartburg is characterized by an archaic music, while the musical universe of Venusberg is more evolved), the associative use of tonality and leitmotifs.

Category:

Music

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• wagner
• Tannhäuser
• sangerkrieg
• auf
• wartburg
• singers
• contest
• ouverture
• prelude
• german
• opera
• bayreuth
• classical

[operaticbunny]

@HarryPotler Just wanted to say Mel Blanc, through the character of Bugs, was attempting to open the eyes of the masses and the younger generation to the wonders of classical music and opera, and I applaud that. For, without the famous (or infamous) "What's Opera Doc?" and other Looney Tunes classics, many people would never have heard these masterpieces at all! And that's a darn shame. But, this video is of Wagner's music, not Looney Tunes, so I'll stop now and just enjoy the music. :)

[douglasmatley]

My father Wayne Matley sang opera and I grew up on Puccini (La Boheme was his favorite with Jussi Bjorling). My first recording of an opera was Tannhauser, given to me by the Roman Catholic parish priest (St. Galls), Fr. Arthur Voutten (I'm not sure how to spell his last name. He was from the Netherlands). D. Alexandr D'Maddalena

[TheRockitLawnChair]

@HarryPotler I know Im three months late but bugs bunny is warner brothers not disney.

[HarryPotler]

@Uchiha899 Yes, Disney tried their best to make a mockery of great germanic music, but unfortunately for the corruptors and deceivers, Wagner lives on!

[Uchiha899]

I remember parts of this were used in a Bugs Bunny episode, the opera one!

[wagnerian1979]

One of the best overtures ever!

[1488bill]

Brilliant,sublime...this is one of my favorites.

Great description by the way. The historical background and themes are contrasted and developed and explored only later to be perfected in 'The Ring' and 'Parsifal'.

This is what is so palatable in Wagner,you feel the ambiance,the flavor.