from Act III, Scene 1 of the German opera Tannhäuser by Richard Wagner

Libretto: Richard Wagner

Role: Elisabeth, the niece of Hermann

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic soprano

Setting: the valley of the Wartburg, near Eisenach, early 1200's

Synopsis: Tannhäuser, after praising the joys of sex in a singing competition, has left on a pilgrimage to Rome, leaving his love Elisabeth behind. He is due to arrive back soon. However, he doesn't return with the group of pilgrims with which he left and, afraid for his safety, Elisabeth prays to the Virgin Mary for Tannhäuser's redemption. She also prays that she may soon be freed from her unhappy life.

from Act II of the German opera Tannhäuser by Richard Wagner

Libretto: Richard Wagner

Role: Elisabeth, the niece of Hermann

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic soprano

Setting: the Hall of Song, near Eisenach, early 1200's

Synopsis: Elisabeth hears that her love, Tannhäuser, is coming back to the Hall of Song, which is the site of many of his triumphs in singing competitions. She enters the Hall and greets it brilliantly and with great joy.

from Act I, Scene 2 of the German opera Tannhäuser by Richard Wagner

Libretto: Richard Wagner

Role: Heinrich Tannhäuser, a minnesinger

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: dramatic tenor/heldentenor

Setting: the Venusberg, near Eisenach, early 1200's

Synopsis: Tannhäuser is inside the mountain of Venus, surrounded by nymphs and satyrs. He worships the goddess of Love and expresses his praise for her in a hymn. The hymn's verses are divided by conversation between Venus and Tannhäuser.

from Act III, Scene 3 of the German opera Tannhäuser by Richard Wagner

Libretto: Richard Wagner

Role: Heinrich Tannhäuser, a minnesinger

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: dramatic tenor/heldentenor

Setting: the valley of the Wartburg, near Eisenach, early 1200's

Synopsis: After returning from his pilgrimage to Rome, Tannhäuser meets Wolfram on the road to the Warteburg. When Wolfram asks him about his journey, Tannhäuser replies with the entire long tale. He went to Rome through great hardships, only to be told by the Pope that he would have no forgiveness.

from Act I, Scene 2 of the German opera Tannhäuser by Richard Wagner

Libretto: Richard Wagner

Role: Venus, goddess of Love

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic soprano

Setting: the Venusberg, near Eisenach, early 1200's

Synopsis: Tannhäuser has expressed his desire to leave Venus's loving arms. This desire upsets her and she tries to convince him to stay.

from Act I, Scene 4 of the German opera Tannhäuser by Richard Wagner

Libretto: Richard Wagner

Role: Wolfram von Eschenbach, a minnesinger

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: lyric baritone

Setting: the valley of the Wartburg, near Eisenach, early 1200's

Synopsis: Tannhäuser and Wolfram meet as Tannhäuser is traveling to Rome as a pilgrim. Since Tannhäuser has been missing for some time, his love Elisabeth has been mourning him. Wolfram tells him this, attempting to get him to come back to the Wartburg.

from Act II of the German opera Tannhäuser by Richard Wagner

Libretto: Richard Wagner

Role: Wolfram von Eschenbach, a minnesinger

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: lyric baritone

Setting: the Hall of Song, near Eisenach, early 1200's

Synopsis: Wolfram competes in the tournament of song, which has the hand of Elisabeth as its prize. He begins by singing an ode praising the virtues of holy and righteous love.

from Act III, Scene 2 of the German opera Tannhäuser by Richard Wagner

Libretto: Richard Wagner

Role: Wolfram von Eschenbach, a minnesinger

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: lyric baritone

Setting: the valley of the Wartburg, near Eisenach, early 1200's

Synopsis: As the night falls, Wolfram sings an ode to the evening star.