ACT I
Relayed from the ROYAL OPERA HOUSE,
COVENT GARDEN
Cast:
THE outline of the story of Tannhauser, that thirteenth-century minstrel (' Minnesinger ') whose temptation and suffering Wagner has portrayed so vividly, is already familiar. Some details of the action in this Act may be useful.
ACT I
SCENE I. The interior of the abode of Venus
(Soprano), whose pleasure it is to attempt to entice the knights of the Wartburg Castle. In her arms lies Tannhauser (Tenor), one of the knights. He is wearying of her enchantments, and longs to return to earth.
SCENE II. In a valley of the Wartburg,
Tannhauser kneels at a wayside shrine. A shepherd (Soprano) pipes near by, and sings a happy song. All Nature is calm and beautiful.
Hunting horns now resound, and the Land-grave of Thuringia (Bass) enters with his attendant knights. Tannhauser was once one of their number, and they welcome him back, the first to do so being Wolfram, his close friend (Baritone). Tannhauser is at first ashamed to return, but when Wolfram tells him how Elizabeth, the Landgrave's niece, has pined in his absence, and that only his return can restore her, the erring knight is moved to consent.