Wagner’s ‘Tannhäuser’

Royal Opera | July 10, 2021, 12:00 pm

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Peter Seiffert as Tannhauser (Photo by Clive Barda)

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 (Sophie Koch), comes to his senses and returns to his mortal love, the chaste heroine Elisabeth (Emma Bell). 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.