Tannhauser, WWV 70
Richard Wagner
Work background
Researched classical background
Wagner's Tannhauser combines a singers' contest with a story of desire, transgression, and hoped-for redemption. The score contrasts the world of Venus with the public and religious life surrounding the Wartburg. Pilgrims' music and the hero's more restless writing supply some of its central tensions. Major revisions for Paris changed the work, making version identification useful for complete recordings.
A listening guide
Compare the pilgrims' measured choral music with the more restless music associated with Venus and Tannhauser.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra
Premiere: 1845 (Dresden premiere)
The Paris revision followed in 1861; modern performances use different versions or combinations.
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Also known as: Tannhauser und der Sangerkrieg auf Wartburg
Date, title and version notes
Dresden and Paris versions differ; some productions combine them.
Tannhauser | Metropolitan Opera
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Zustiftung Wolfgang Wagner / Tannhauser
Work identity, dated event and scoring or version context for this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Tannhauser | Archivio Storico del Teatro dell'Opera di Roma
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Tannhauser | Metropolitan Opera
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Zustiftung Wolfgang Wagner / Tannhauser
Work identity, dated event and scoring or version context for this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Tannhauser | Archivio Storico del Teatro dell'Opera di Roma
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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