Tannhäuser

After spending a period in Venusberg (Venus Mountain) in profane love with the goddess Venus (Mariana Pentcheva), the Minnesinger and poet Tannhäuser (Alan Woodrow) feels satisfied and longs for freedom. Before leaving the caverns, Tannhäuser is cursed by Venus and returns to his homeland where he is welcomed by five minstrels. His friend Wolfram (Ludwig Baumann) tells that the Landgrave's niece Elisabeth (Gertrud Ottenthal) misses him and lost her interest in music. He meets Elisabeth, and her uncle, who raised her like a daughter, decides to celebrate his return with a festival with a song contest. When the Landgrave tells that the theme is the nature of love, Wolfram and the other minstrels sing about the sacred love. However Tannhäuser mocks them and tells that only who had been in Venusberg is capable to tell the real nature of love. Tannhäuser is loathed and the men want to kill him, however Elisabeth protects Tannhäuser and saves him. He promises to seek atonement in Rome and joins a group of pilgrims while Elisabeth prays for him. When the pilgrims return, Elisabeth and Wolfram seek Tannhäuser out but does not find him. Later Wolfram sees Tannhäuser that has returned alone and he tells that he is searching for Venusberg again since he has not found absolution and salvation in Rome. He summons Venus and when she finally appears, Wolfram only says the name Elisabeth. Tannhäuser stops and Wolfram explains that Elisabeth died praying for him and now she would ask for his salvation directly to the Lord. Soon Tannhäuser discovers that he had found redemption through Elisabeth's love and he dies. While the pilgrims sing about the miracle that has happened, his soul flies to heaven.

"Tannhäuser" (2000) is an opera in three acts by Richard Wagner about the struggle between the sacred and profane love. The story is based on the German legend and there are difficult points to be understood by those that are not familiar with these legends. Venusberg, for example, is a cursed place of eternal perdition hidden from the mortals by Venus. Why Tannhäuser's sins cannot be forgiven? Why Tannhäuser is called Heinrich many times along the opera. The fantastic production is long (three hours) and the DVD is awesome. My vote is ten.

Title (Brazil): "Tannhäuser"