Opera on 3

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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

BBC Radio 3

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Music: Classical: Opera

Programme presenting rare and fascinating operatic performances

Programme presenting rare and fascinating performances and vividly communicating the immediacy of the live experience

Opera on 3: Wagner's Tannhauser

Wagner's Tannhauser

BBC Radio 3 - Opera on 3, Wagner's Tannhauser

From the Royal Opera House, with tenor Peter Seiffert, conducted by Hartmut Haenchen.

From the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Wagner's early masterpiece Tannahauser in a recording first heard in 2016. With Peter Seiffert and Emma Bell. Hartmut Haenchen conducts.

Wagner's Tannhäuser recorded at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and first broadcast in 2016, in Tim Albery's acclaimed production. One of today's leading Wagnerian tenors, Peter Seiffert takes on the title role of the young troubadour knight who is torn between spiritual love and carnal desire. Wagner's opulent score melds together the worlds of the sacred and profane. Tannhauser, having been charmed by love goddess Venus, comes to his senses and returns to his mortal love, the chaste heroine Elisabeth. However, he sings of passionate rather than courtly love, which shocks her and her community. He promises to seek atonement and redemption, but the illicit attraction of Venus continues to beckon. Harmut Haenchen conducts the soloists, orchestra and chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Presented by Donald Macleod, in conversation with Barbara Eichner.

Wagner: Tannhäuser

Tannhäuser ..... Peter Seiffert (tenor)
Wolfram von Eschenbach ..... Christian Gerhaher (baritone)
Hermann, Landgrave of Thuringia ..... Stephen Milling (bass)
Elisabeth, the Landgrave's niece ..... Emma Bell (soprano)
Venus ..... Sophie Koch (mezzo-soprano)
Walther von der Vogelweide ..... Ed Lyon (tenor)
Heinrich der Schreiber ..... Samuel Sakker (tenor)
Biterolf ..... Michael Kraus (bass)
Reinmar von Zweter ..... Jeremy White (bass)
Shepherd boy ..... Duncan Tarboton (treble)
Elisabeth's attendents ..... Kiera Lyness, Deborah Peake-Jones (sopranos); Louise Armit, Kate McCarney (mezzo-sopranos)

Royal Opera Chorus
Royal Opera House Orchestra
Hartmut Haenchen (conductor).

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