Tannhäuser & Elisabeth
Between pagan pleasure and pure love
The minstrel Tannhäuser, torn between the sensual pleasure of the goddess Venus and the pure love of the noble Elisabeth, is condemned by the Church; Elisabeth dies praying for his soul, and he falls dead upon her, redeemed.
01Why it matters
Wagner's opera pits the two faces of love — carnal and spiritual — in one of his most celebrated works.
02The conflict
The temptation of Venus and religious condemnation.
03The iconic moment
The Pope's staff that blooms, sign of the pardon that comes too late.
04What survived
The opera "Tannhäuser"; the pilgrims' chorus.
05Frequently asked questions
Who were Tannhäuser & Elisabeth?
The minstrel Tannhäuser, torn between the sensual pleasure of the goddess Venus and the pure love of the noble Elisabeth, is condemned by the Church; Elisabeth dies praying for his soul, and he falls dead upon her, redeemed.
Why is the story of Tannhäuser & Elisabeth famous?
Wagner's opera pits the two faces of love — carnal and spiritual — in one of his most celebrated works.
How does the story of Tannhäuser & Elisabeth end?
The Pope's staff that blooms, sign of the pardon that comes too late. The opera "Tannhäuser"; the pilgrims' chorus.
Is the story of Tannhäuser & Elisabeth real?
Tannhäuser & Elisabeth is a work of fiction.
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