Harmut Haenchen conducts Wagner’s potent early opera starring Peter Seiffert, Emma Bell, Christian Gerhaher and Sophie Koch, in Tim Albery’s acclaimed production.
In Venus’s domain of the Venusberg, the great singer Tannhäuser tires of Venus’s love and escapes. In a song contest at home on the subject of love, Tannhäuser argues for the importance of physical desire – revealing his sin with Venus, to the people’s horror. Elisabeth, whose heart he won long ago, intercedes on his behalf.
Tannhäuser is ordered to make a pilgrimage to the Pope to seek redemption. Tannhäuser bitterly returns home – the Pope has refused him salvation. He vows to return to Venus. News arrives that Elisabeth is dead; she has sacrificed herself for Tannhäuser’s sake. Tannhäuser realizes the extent of her love and his soul is saved.
