Tuesday, October 13, 2015

TANNHAUSER E VENERE: melodramma romantico -- all minnesingers share knightly rank. Hence Tannhauser is both knight ('cavalier') and 'bardo' -- by definition -- and their songs HAVE to be 'improvised'.

Speranza


Tannhäuser
Opera by Richard Wagner
Bundesarchiv Bild 183-2004-0512-501, Bayreuth, Festspiele, "Tannhäuser", Schluss.jpg
Final scene, Bayreuth Festival 1930
Other titleTannhäuser und der Sängerkrieg auf Wartburg
Tannhauser; ovvero, la lotta dei bardi al castello di Varteburgo: opera romantica in tre atti -- BOLOGNA. 

Librettist
Richard Wagner
LanguageGerman
Premiere19 October 1845
Royal Theater in Dresden
Tannhäuser (full title Tannhäuser und der Sängerkrieg auf Wartburg / Tannhäuser and the Singers' Contest at Wartburg Castle) is a melodramma in three acts, music and text by Riccardo Wagner, based on the German legends of Tannhäuser and the song contest at Wartburg and the life of St. Elisabetta, the wife of the count of Turingia.

The plot centers on the struggle between sacred and profane love, and redemption through love, a theme running through most of Wagner's mature work.


Heinrich Heine had provided Wagner with the inspiration for Der fliegende Holländer

Wagner again drew on Heine for the plot of Tannhäuser.

Heine's sardonic poem Elementar Geister, telling of the lure of "la grotta di Venere", was published in 1837 in "Der Salon"

Wagner also drew material from E. T. A. Hoffmann's story "The Singer's Contest" ("La lotta dei bardi") and Ludwig Tieck's 1799 story Tannhäuser and Faithful Eckhart

Other possible sources include:

-- the 15th century folk ballad "Das Lied von dem Danheüser"  and 

-- Ludwig Bechstein's collection of Thuringian legends Der Sagen Schatz und die Sagen Kreise des Thüringer landes.

Wagner wrote the prose draft of Tannhäuser between June and July 1842 and the libretto in April 1843.
The libretto of Tannhäuser combines the mythological element characteristic of German Romantic opera and the medieval setting typical of many French Grand Operas.

Wagner brings these two together by constructing a plot involving the 14th century Minnesingers and the myth of Venus and her subterranean realm of Venusberg, 'the mountain of Venus' -- which was actually UNDER the mountain or hill -- vide Beardsley, "Under the hill".

Both the historical and the mythological are united in Tannhäuser's personality.

Although Tannhauser, the knight, is also a historical poet composer, little is known about him other than myths that surround him.

Furthermore, half of the opera takes place in a historical setting, and half takes place in the mythological Venusberg -- although "la grotta di Venere" is a geographical accident near the castle!

Wagner began composing the music during a vacation in Teplitz in the summer of 1843 and completed the full score on 13 April 1845.

The opera's famous overture, often played separately as a concert piece, was written last.

While composing the music for "la grotta di Venere", Wagner grew so impassioned that he made himself ill.

In his autobiography, he wrote:

"With much pain and toil I sketched the first outlines of my music for the Venusberg.

Meanwhile I was very much troubled by excitability and rushes of blood to the brain.

I imagined I was ill and lay for whole days in bed.

The instrumentation also shows signs of borrowing from French operatic style.

The score includes parts for on-stage brass; however, rather than using French brass instruments, Wagner uses twelve German wald horns.

Wagner also makes use of the harp, another commonplace of French opera.





Dresden première[edit]


Libretto, Dresden 1845


















The first performance was given in the Royal Theater in Dresden on 19 October 1845. 

The composer Ferdinand Hiller, at that time a friend of Wagner, assisted in the musical preparations for the production. 

The part of Santa Elisabetta di Turingia was sung by Wagner's niece Johanna Wagner

Wagner had intended to premiere the opera on 13 October, Johanna's 19th birthday.

But she was ill.

So it was postponed by six days.

The role of Venere was created by Wilhelmine Schröder-Devrient, and the title role of the knight Tannhauser was taken by Josef Tichatschek

Tannhauser is what musicologists call a heldentenor, 'tenore eroico'. 

The performance was conducted by the composer.

Tannhäuser was NOT the success that "Rienzi: the last of the tribunes" had been, and Wagner almost immediately set to modifying the ending, tinkering with the score through 1846 and 1847. 

There were performances in:

Schwerin
Breslau
Freiburg
Wiesbaden
Frankfurt-am-Main
Riga
Leipzig
Poznan
Darmstadt
Hamburg
Königsberg
Köln 
Graz and 
Prague 
This version of the opera, as revised for publication in 1860 (including some changes to the final scene) is generally known as the "Dresden" version.


Wagner substantially amended the melodramma for a special 1861 performance by the Paris Opéra.

This had been requested by Emperor Napoleon III at the suggestion of Princess Paulina von Metternich, wife of the Austrian ambassador to France.

This revision forms the basis of what is now known as the "Paris version" of Tannhäuser.

Wagner had originally hoped the Parisian première would take place at the Teatro Lirico.

However, the première was at the Paris Opéra, so the composer had to insert a ballet into the score, according to the traditions of the house.

Wagner agreed to this condition since he believed that a success at the Opéra represented his most significant opportunity to re-establish himself following his exile from Germany.

However, rather than put the ballet in its traditional place in Act II (as the Jockey club members require since they arrive during the interval and never earlier) he chose to place it in Act I, where it could at least make some dramatic sense by representing the sensual world of Venus's realm.

Thus in Tannhäuser the ballet takes the form of a bacchanale.

The changes to the score in the Paris version, apart from the ballet, included:

-- The text was translated into French (by Charles-Louis-Etienne Nuitter and others) -- had it been performed at the Teatro Lirico it possibly had been performed in Italian. 

Venus, a role that in the Dresden version was considered a soprano, now calls for a mezzo soprano.

Venus' aria "Geliebter, komm!" was transposed down half a step and was completely altered from "...wonnige Glut durchschwelle dein Herz". 

From this point the Dresden and the Paris version arias go in two different directions.

A solo for Valter di Vogel Veide was removed from Act 2.

Extra lines for Venus following Tannhäuser's "Hymn to Love" were added.

The orchestral introduction to Act 3 was shortened.

The end of the opera was reworked to include VENERE on stage, where before the audience only heard the VENERE leit motif

Wagner thought that prior to the change, audiences were confused about what was happening onstage.

The thing is some were confused even afterwards!


Tannhäuser's first performance in Paris was given on 13 March 1861 at the Salle Le Peletier of the Paris Opéra.

The composer had been closely involved in its preparation and there had been 164 rehearsals.


However, there was a serious planned assault on the opera's reception by members of the wealthy and aristocratic Jockey Club.

Their custom was to arrive at the Opéra only in time for the Act II ballet, after previously dining, and, as often as not, to leave after the close of the ballet, some of whose dancers were romanced by members of the Jockey Club.

They objected to the ballet coming in Act I, since this meant they would have to be present from the beginning of the opera.

This is a non-sequitur since surely you can romance a dancer without having to attend the dance!

Furthermore, they disliked Princess Paulina von Metternich, who had arranged the performance, and her native country of Austria.

Club members led barracking from the audience with whistles and cat-calls.

At the third performance on 24 March, this uproar caused several interruptions of up to fifteen minutes at a time.

As a consequence, Wagner withdrew the opera after the third performance. The "Song to the Evening Star", especially in the Lizt arrangement as a drawing-room ballad, remained VERY popular, though!


This marked the end to Wagner's hopes of establishing himself in Paris, at that time the centre of the operatic world, after MILANO, of course!

A few further changes to Tannhäuser were made for an 1875 performance of the opera in Vienna, carried out under Wagner's supervision. 

These included linking the end of the overture to the start of the opera proper. 

The 1875 Vienna version is that normally used in modern productions of the "Paris" version, often with the reinstatement of Valther's Act 2 solo.

Wagner remained unsatisfied with the opera. 

His second wife Cosima noted in her diary on 23 January 1883 (three weeks before he died) 

"He says he still owes the world Tannhäuser."


First performances of the "Dresden" version" of Tannhäuser',

Riga on 18 January 1853, the first performance abroad.

Prague on 25 November 1854 at Theatre of the Estates.

New York on 4 April 1859 at the Stadt Theatre, the first performance in the United States.

Timisoara on 13 January 1866

London on 6 May 1876 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, the first performance in England.

Sydney on 14 January 1901 at the Royal Theatre, the first performance in Australia.

BOLOGNA.
Premieres of the "Paris" version were given in New York at the Metropolitan Opera on 30 January 1889, at London's Royal Opera House on 15 July 1895 and in Bologna on 7 November 1872 at the Teatro Comunale, the first performance in Italy under conductor Angelo Mariani with Gottardo Aldighieri.

Although the libretto and the score always use the single name Tannhäuser in stage directions involving the title character or in indicating which passages are sung by him, that name never appears as part of the lyrics. 

Rather, each character who addresses Tannhäuser by name uses the given name Enrico.

The distinct character Enrico der Schreiber sings many melodies distinct from all other named characters, and occasionally unique lyrics. 

However, in the libretto he finds individual mention only in the list of characters, with the ensemble numbers that include him being labelled for the Ritter (i.e., "knights", referring to the Minnesinger, who all share knightly rank). 

The score (at least in the Schirmer edition) labels his melody line simply "Schreiber", rather than Enrico der Schreiber.
RoleVoice typePremiere Cast
20 October 1845
(Conductor: Richard Wagner)
Revised version
Premiere Cast, 1861
(Conductor: Pierre-Louis Dietsch)
Tannhäuser, MinnesingertenorJosef Aloys TichatschekAlbert Niemann
Santa Elisabetta di Turinga, the Landgrave's niecesopranoJohanna WagnerMarie Sasse
Veneresoprano or mezzo-sopranoWilhelmine Schröder-DevrientFortunata Tedesco
Volframo von Eschin Bacha MinnesingerbaritoneAnton MitterwurzerMorelli
Germano, conte di TuringiabassGeorg Wilhelm DettmerCazaux
Walther von der Vogelweidea MinnesingertenorMax SchlossAimes
Biterolf, a MinnesingerbassJohann Michael WächterCoulon
Heinrich der Schreiber, a MinnesingertenorAnton CurtyKönig
Reinmar von Zwetera MinnesingerbassKarl RisseFreret
A shepherdsopranoAnna ThieleReboux
Noble pagessoprano, alto
Nobles, knights, ladies, pilgrims, sirens, naiads, nymphs, bacchants.
In the Paris version, also the Three Graces, cupids, satyrs, and fauns.


Tannhäuser is scored for the following instruments:
on-stage

Synopsis[edit]

Place: near Eisenach
Time: early 13th century

Act 1[edit]

The Venusberg, (the Hörselberg of "Frau Holda" in Turingia, in the vicinity of Eisenach)
Tannhäuser is held at the "grotta di Venere" a willing captive through his love for Venus.

 (Ballet scene; bacchanalian music.)

Following the orgy of the ballet, Tannhäuser's desires are finally satiated, and he longs for freedom, spring and the sound of church bells.

Once again he takes up his harp and pays homage to VENERE in a passionate love song, which he ends with an earnest plea to be allowed to depart.

When Venus again tries to charm him, he declares: "My salvation rests in MARIA, the mother of God."

*****************************************************************


These words break the unholy spell.

Venus and her attendants disappear, and he suddenly finds himself just below the "castello di Varteburgo.

It is springtime.

A  shepherd sits upon a rock and pipes an ode to spring.

Pilgrims in procession to ROMA pass the knight Tannhäuser as he stands motionless, and he sinks to his knees, overcome with gratitude.

He is discovered by the 'conte di Turingia' and his companions: i bardi -- Volframo, Valter, Biterolf, Reinmar, and Enrico lo scrittore.

They joyfully welcome the knight-singer, who had originally fled from the Vartebirgp court because he was shamefully bested in the prize-singing contest.

Tannhauser initially refuses to join them.

But when Wolfram informs him that his song has at least gained for him the heart of who'll become Saint Elisabeth, he relents and follows the count (Santa Elisabetta's uncle) and the singers to the castello di Wartburgo to attend a symposium on love at the Apollo Hall.

Act 2[edit]


The Wartburg in Eisenach
Hall of the Wartburg











Who'll become Saint Elisabeth (the niece of the count of Varteburgo in Wagner's version; his WIFE in real history) has been living in seclusion since Tannhäuser's disappearance.

When Elisabetta hears of his return, she joyfully agrees to be present at a prize contest of song, and enters the hall. ("Dich, teure Halle.")

Wolfram leads Tannhäuser to her.

Tannhauser does love Elisabetta.

But he dares not tell her the evil he has done -- sleeping for seven years with VENERE under the hill!


The 'conte' di Turingia and the 'contessa' Elisabeth receive the guests who assemble for the contest, the noblemen of the neighbourhood, who appear in rich attire. (March and chorus.)

The conte di Turingia announces the subject of the contestants' songs -- they HAVE TO BE IMPROVISED -- is to be, not love, but "love's awakening".

Santa Elisabetta will grant the victor one wish, whatever it may be.

Volframo performs first.

He declares that love is LIKE a pure stream, which should never be troubled.

Tannhäuser replies hotly that he finds the highest love only in the pleasure of the senses.

The other singers support Wolfram.

Tannhäuser replies to each separately.

And at last in growing excitement he answers Volfram with a love song to VENERE, and declares that if the knights wish to know love as it is they should repair to the Venusberg, a metaphor for a bordello!

The women, with the exception of Santa Elisabetta, contessa di Turingia, leave the Apolo hall in horror, and the knights draw swords upon Tannhäuser.

But Santa Elisabetta protects him.

Tannhäuser then expresses his penitence for his outburst, and the count of Turingia allows him to join a band of pilgrims bound for Roma, where he may perhaps obtain forgiveness and redemption from the Pope URBANO IV. 

Act 3

The valley of the Wartburg, in autumn
Orchestral music describes the pilgrimage of Tannhäuser.

Elisabetta, accompanied by Volframo, falls on her knees in prayer. She is about to become a 'saint'.

She asks the returning pilgrims for news of Tannhäuser, but in vain.

Once again she prays earnestly and returns broken-hearted to the Castle of Wartburg.

Wolfram, who loves her with faithful devotion, has a presentiment of her death.

For she says that only if she becomes a saint and goes to heaven she can intercede with God for Tannhauser's perdon.



(Wolfram: "Song to the evening star.") (Oddly, the Evening Star is VENERE!)


VOLFRAMO sees before him a tottering pilgrim in torn garments.

It is Tannhäuser, who informs Volfram that the Pope URBANO IV refused his plea for absolution, and declared that he had no more chance of being forgiven than a pastoral staff had of sprouting leaves.

Utterly despairing, Tannhäuser is now seeking the way back to the Venus Berg and presently calls to Venus, who appears before him and bids him welcome back to her cavern.

This second apparation of 'dea ex machina' Wagner thought would clarify things for the French!

Suddenly, Volfram notices a funeral procession descending the hill, and sees the mourners bearing the corpse of Santa Elisabetta on a bier.

Tannhäuser races to her side and collapses upon her body with the words, "Santa Elisabetta, pray for me" upon his lips.

The pilgrims enter and announce that a staff has sprouted young leaves, a sign that Tannhäuser has obtained God's forgiveness.

Noted excerpts include:


Overture


Naht euch dem Strande ("Draw close to the shore" – Venusberg Music -- the song of the sirens)


Geliebter, komm! Sieh dort die Grotte ("Come, beloved! See yonder grotto")


Als du in kühnem Sange uns bestrittest ("When you strove with us in blithe song")


Dich, teure Halle ("You, dear hall")


Entry of the Guests (March) and Chorus (Freudig begruessen wir die edle Halle) ("Joyfully we hail the noble hall")

Beglückt darf nun dich, o Heimat, ich schauen 

("With joy, my home, I now behold thee" – Pilgrim's Chorus)

All mächt'ge Jung Frau, hör mein Flehen! 

("Virgin Almighty, hear my plea!")

Willkommen, ungetreuer Mann 

("Welcome, unfaithful man")

Heil! Heil! Der Gnade Wunder Heil! ("Hail the miracle of grace!" – includes "Pilgrims' Chorus")

O du, mein holder Abendstern ("O thou, my gracious evening star")

Inbrunst im Herzen (Rom-Erzählung)



Notes

Christopher Wintle, Maria, Mother, Pure Maid, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden programme notes, 2010, p45

 Mark Berry, Owing the world a Tannhäuser, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden programme notes, 2010, p22

Millington, Barry (Ed.) (1992), page 281.

 Gutman, Robert (1968, revised 1990), page 103.

 Wagner, Richard. My Life. Volume 1. New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company, 1911, page 315.

Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians 5th ed., 1954

 Gutman, Robert (1968, revised 1990), page 104

 Gregor-Dellin, Martin (1983), pages 293–303.

 Millington, Barry (Ed.) (1992), page 281.

Wintle, Christopher. A note on the edition, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, programme notes, 2010, p.51


Sources:

Chrissochoidis, Ilias, Heike Harmgart, Steffen Huck, and Wieland Müller, 

"'Though this be madness, yet there is method in't': 
A Counterfactual Analysis of Richard Wagner's Tannhäuser,Music and Letters 95:4 (November 2014), 584-602. 

Melitz, Leo, The Opera Goer's Complete Guide, 1921 edition. (Source of synopsis)

The New Kobbe Opera Book (11th edition), 1997.

Gregor-Dellin, Martin (1983) 
Richard Wagner: his life, his work, his Century. William Collins, ISBN 0-00-216669-0.

Guttman, Robert W. 
Richard Wagner: The Man, his Mind and his Music (2nd edition, London 1990).

Holden, Amanda (Ed.), The New Penguin Opera Guide, New York: Penguin Putnam, 2001. ISBN 0-14-029312-4

Millington, Barry (ed.) The Wagner Compendium. London 1992 (2nd edition 2001 ISBN 0-500-28274-9).

Wagner, Richard. My Life. Volume 1. New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company, 1911. Google Books.

Warrack, John and West, Ewan, The Oxford Dictionary of Opera New York: Oxford University Press, 1979; OUP: 1992 ISBN 0-19-869164-5 ISBN 019311318X

Richard Wagner – Tannhäuser. A gallery of historic postcards with motives from Richard Wagner's operas.

The libretto (in German)

'Venusberg music' (finale) from "Tannhauser", Audio/Visual

Tannhäuser full score: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project

Beach, Chandler B., ed. (1914). "Tannhäuser and the Singers' Contest at the Wartburg". The New Student's Reference Work. Chicago: F. E. Compton and Co.

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