Richard Wagner

Tannhaeuser, WWV 70: Overture

TANNHÄUSER, an 1845 opera in three acts by Richard Wagner (1813-1883), combines two German legends: the mythologized medieval German Minnesänger and poet, and the tale of the Wartburg Song Contest. Like many of Wagner's works, the story focuses on the conflict between sacred and profane love, as well as redemption through love. It was first performed on October 19, 1845, in the Königliches Hoftheater Dresden, and this 1845 edition is referred to as the "Dresden version." A heavily revised version was created for a March 13, 1861, performance at the Paris Opéra, though the jeering from a highly critical audience caused Wagner to withdraw this "Paris version" after only three performances. Further revisions to the Paris version were made in 1875 to create the "Vienna version," including a return to German rather than French, and it is this update of the Paris version that is most commonly used today. The complete opera remains a major part of the opera repertoire. The "Dresden" version of the overture is the one most often performed in concert hall programs. Instrumentation: 3(2nd/3rd dPicc).2.2.2: 4.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(3): Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set). Reprint of the concert edition by Fritz Hoffmann.