Tannhauser

Tannhauser (tenor) is sick of the sensual pleasures of the Venusberg and longs for the simple joys of earthly life. The love goddess Venus (soprano) summons a magic grotto and tempts him to surrender to ecstasy, but Tannhauser invokes the Virgin Mary and Venus disappears. Hermann (bass), the Landgrave of Thuringia, and minstrels approach. Wolfram says that in their earlier song-contests, Tannhauser won the love of Elisabeth (soprano), the Landgrave's niece. Going to the Hall of Song, Tannhauser throws himself at Elisabeth's feet. They sing together of love. The Landgrave announces a new song contest; the winner will receive his prize from Elisabeth herself. Wolfram (baritone) sings first and uses the image of a fountain to sing of the purity of love. The audience enjoys his song, but Tannhauser retorts that the fountain of love fills him only with burning desire. Another minstrel, Biterolf (bass), speaks on behalf of the outraged knights and ladies when he challenges Tannhauser to a combat. Tannhauser mocks Biterolf's inexperience in the joys of true love. Wolfram attempts to calm everyone down, but Tannhauser sings a hymn to Venus. The knights want to kick Tannhauser's butt, but Elisabeth begs them to forgive him, and Tannhauser falls to the ground with a cry of grief. The Landgrave tells Tannhauser that his only hope of salvation is to join the band of pilgrims preparing to make their way to Rome. However, when the pilgrims return, Elisabeth sees that Tannhauser is not among them. When Tannhauser returns, he tells Wolfram that he saw the Pope, who condemned him by saying that if he has enjoyed the delights of the Venusberg, he can no more be forgiven than the Pope's staff can sprout green leaves. Wolfram is horrified when Tannhauser declares he will return to the Venusberg.