Tannhäuser by Richard Wagner

Cast COUNT HERMANN, Landgrave of Thuringia (bass) ELIZABETH, his niece (soprano) Minstrel Knights: TANNHÄUSER (Heinrich von Ofterdingen) (tenor) WOLFRAM VON ESCHENBACH (baritone) WALTHER VON DER VOGELWEIDE (tenor) BITEROLF (bass) HEINRICH DER SCHREIBER (tenor) REINMAR VON ZWETER (bass) VENUS, goddess of love (soprano) A SHEPHERD BOY (soprano) FOUR PAGES (soprano and alto) CHORUS: Thuringian knights, counts and nobles, noblewomen, older and younger pilgrims, sirens, naiads, nymphs, maenads,

Overture TANNHÄUSER Too long! Too long! ACT ONE O that I might wake now! Scene One VENUS The cave of Venus Say, what troubles you? The stage represents the interior of the TANNHÄUSER Venusberg. Sirens, Venus, Tannhäuser, Nymphs, In a dream it was as if I heard Bacchantes, Amorous couples what long has been unfamiliar to my ear, SIRENS as if I heard the joyous peal of bells! Come to this shore! Ah say, how long is it since I heard it? Come to the land VENUS where in glowing Love’s Where strays your mind? What possesses you? fond embrace blessed balm TANNHÄUSER shall soothe your longings! I cannot measure the time that I have tarried here. Scene Two Days, months, exist no more for me, A valley near the Wartburg for no more do I see the sunlight, no more the friendly stars of heaven; VENUS I see no more the fields which, freshly green, Beloved, say, where dwell your thoughts? herald a new summer; no more I hear the nightingale, harbinger of spring. Shall I never hear or see them again? 2

VENUS here I breathe the magic of unalloyed bliss; Ah, what do I hear? What foolish complaints! no land in the wide world offers the like; Are you so soon weary of the sweet wonders all it holds seems in comparison of little worth. which my love has lavished on you? Yet from these rosy scents I long Or can it be you so regret being a god? for the woodland breezes, Have you so soon forgotten for the clear blue of out sky, how once you suffered, for the fresh green of out meadows, while now you live here lapped in delights? for the sweet song of out birds, My singer, rise! Take up your harp! for the dear sound of out bells. Extol love, which you lauded with such rapture From your kingdom I must flee; that you won for yourself the goddess of love! O queen, o goddess, set me free! Extol love, for its highest prize is yours! VENUS TANNHÄUSER Faithless one! Alas, what is this I hear? Let your praises resound! You dare to spurn my love? Glorified be the wonders You praise it but seek from it to fly? your might has wrought for my bliss! Has my allure grown wearisome? Let my song in loud and joyful tones extol the sweet delights TANNHÄUSER flowing from your bounty! Ah fair goddess! Do not be angry with me! My heart yearned, It is your unbounded allure from which I fly! my soul thirsted for joy, ah! for divine pleasure: VENUS what once you showed only to gods Shame on you! Traitor, dissembler, ingrate! your favor has bestowed upon a mortal. O will not let you go! You shall not leave me! But alas! I have remained mortal, Ah! and your love overwhelms me. Though a god can savor joy forever, TANNHÄUSER I am subject to change; Never was my love greater, never more true I have at heart not pleasure alone, than now, when I must leave you forever! and in my joy long for suffering. VENUS From your kingdom I must flee; Beloved, come! See yonder grotto, O queen, o goddess, set me free! permeated with the soft perfume of roses, VENUS the abode of sweetest joys Must I listen to this? What a song! which might enchant even a god! What mournful mood clouds your lay? Resting on the softest pillow, Where has that rapture flown all pain shall quit your limbs, which inspired you only to songs of delight? cool airs shall play about your burning brow, What is it? In what has my love been lacking? a rapturous glow Beloved, with what do you reproach me? shall course through your veins. From afar sweet sounds softly whisper TANNHÄUSER for my arms to enfold you in a fond embrace: Gratitude for your favor from my lips you shall sip and praise for your love! the nectar of the gods, Forever blessed is he who has dwelt here! from my eyes will glow love’s gratitude! Forever envied is he who, hot with desire, A feast of joy shall spring from our union; has in your arms shared the divine glow! let us gladly celebrate the rite of love! The wonders of your realm cast a spell, No timid offering shall you dedicate to it, No! Revel in union with love’s own goddess! 3

SIRENS For my marvels shall it then seek in vain! Come to this shore! The world shall be desolate, Come to this land! and its champion a menial! Return, o return to me! VENUS My cavalier! My beloved! Will you fly me? TANNHÄUSER Nevermore will the pleasures TANNHÄUSER of love delight me! To you, to you alone shall my song ever be raised! VENUS Your praise alone will I sing aloud! Return, if your heart bids you. Your soft charms are the fount of all beauty, and every fair wonder springs from you. TANNHÄUSER The fire you kindled in my heart Your beloved flies forever. shall in flame brightly burn to you alone! Yes, against the whole world henceforth VENUS will I be your bold and tireless champion. If all the world repulses you? But I must hence to the earthly world, with you I can only be a slave: TANNHÄUSER for freedom I am consumed with longing, Repentance will free me from your spell. for freedom I thirst; VENUS to strife and struggle will I go, Forgiveness never will be granted you! even though it be to downfall and death! Return, if you wish for happiness! So from your kingdom I must flee; O queen, o goddess, set me free! TANNHÄUSER My happiness? My happiness lies in Mary! VENUS Then go, madman, go! Scene Three Traitor, see, I am not holding you! I set you free! Away! The valley before the Wartburg: the Hörselberg What you desire shall be your doom! in the far distance. A Shepherd, Pilgrims, Fly to the cold world of men, Tannhäuser from whose feeble, cheerless fancies we gods of joy fled SHEPHERD into the warming depths of the earth’s womb. Dame Holda came forth from the hill Go then, poor fool! Seek there to roam through fields arid meadows: the happiness you never shall find! surpassing sweet sounds reached my ear, Soon the arrogance in your heart will weaken, my eyes craved to see her. and I shall see you return humbled, There I dreamed many a fair dream, remorseful, crestfallen, to seek me out, and scarcely had I opened my eyes pleading for the magic of my might! than the sun was shining warm, and May had come. TANNHÄUSER Now I merrily play my pipe, Ah, goddess of beauty, farewell! for May is here, lovely May! Never will I return to you! PILGRIMS VENUS To thee I turn my steps, Lord Jesus Christ, Ha! Never will you return to me! for the pilgrim’s hope art thou! If you do not return, then the entire Praise to thee, O Virgin sweet and pure, race of men shall be accursed! and deign to smile upon this pilgrimage! 4

Ah, the burden of sin weighs heavy upon me LANDGRAVE and I can no longer bear it: Is it really you? Are you returning to us, therefore I seek neither rest nor repose whom in your haughty pride you abandoned? and choose for myself pain and toil. At the high celebration of God’s grace BITEROLF I will expiate my guilt; Say, what means your return to us? blessed is he who is steadfast in his faith: through repentance shall he be redeemed. LANDGRAVE, WALTER, HEINRICH, REINMAR SHEPHERD Tell us! God speed! God speed to Rome! Pray for my poor soul! BITFROLF Reconciliation, or renewed strife? TANNHÄUSER Almighty God be praised! WALTER Great are the marvels of thy mercy. Do you come to us as friend or foe?

PILGRIMS MINSTRELS To thee I turn my steps, Lord Jesus Christ, As foe? for the pilgrim’s hope art thou! Praise to thee, O Virgin sweet and pure, WOLFRAM and deign to smile upon this pilgrimage! Do not ask! Is this the demeanor of pride? We welcome you, valiant minstrel, TANNHÄUSER that hasah! So long been absent from our midst! Ah, the burden of sin weighs heavy upon me and I can no longer bear it: WALTER therefore I seek neither rest nor repose Welcome, if you come in peace! and choose for myself pain and toil. BITEROLF PILGRIMS Greetings, if you treat us as friends! At the high celebration of God’s grace WALTER, HEINRICH, BITEROLF, I will expiate my guilt; REINMAR blessed is he who is steadfast in his faith! Greetings! We welcome you!

Scene Four LANDGRAVE Landgrave, Minstrels, Tannhäuser Then let me too welcome you! LANDGRAVE But say, where have you been so long? Who is that yonder, deep in prayer? TANNHÄUSER WALTER I wandered in far, far distant lands, Surely a penitent. where repose or rest I never found. Do not ask! I came not here to contend with BITFROLF you. A knight, by his garb. Let us make peace, and let me go my way!

WOLFRAM LANDGRAVE It is he! Not yet! You are one of us again.

THE OTHER MINSTRELS WALTER Heinrich! Heinrich! Do I see aright? You must not go. 5

BITEROLF one prize there was which you alone won. We will not let you go. Was it magic, was it a divine power, by which you wrought such a miracle, WALTER, HEINRICH, WOLFRAM, enchanting that maid of matchless virtue REINMAR, LANDGRAVE by your song of joy and sorrow? Stay with us! But ah! When in your pride you left us, she closed her heart against our song; TANNHÄUSER we saw her cheeks grow pale, Let me go! To linger is of no avail, and she henceforth avoided our company. and never can I rest in peace. O come back, valiant minstrel, My way urges me to hasten only onwards, and do not deprive us of your song. and never may I look back. Let her no longer be absent from our festivals, and may her star shine on us once more! LANDGRAVE AND MINSTRFLS O stay! You must remain with us; MINSTRELS we will not let you go again. Be one of us, Heinrich! Come back to us! Having sought us out, why hurry away Let discord and strife be laid aside! after so brief a reunion? United let our songs arise and henceforth let us be brothers! TANNHÄUSER I must away from here! LANDGRAVE O come back, valiant minstrel, return to us! LANDGRAVE, WALTER, HEINRICH, Let discord and strife be laid aside! BITEROLF, REINMAR Stay, o stay with us! TANNHÄUSER To her! To her! O lead me to her! WOLFRAM Ah, now I recognize again Stay for Elisabeth! the beautiful world from which I fled! The heavens shine down upon me, TANNHÄUSER the fields are resplendent in rich array. Elisabeth! O might of heaven, Spring with a thousand charming sounds is it you that recalls to me that sweet name? has filled my heart with joy: WOLFRAM in sweet, urgent eagerness Abuse me not as foe my heart cries aloud, when I speak that name to you! “To her! To her! Lead me to her!” to Landgrave LANDGRAVE AND MINSTRELS My lord, will you permit me He who was lost has returned! to tell him of his fortune? A miracle has brought him back. LANDGRAVE Praised be the gentle power Tell him of the magic that he wrought, which has banished his pride! and God grant him virtue that he may use it Now let the maid we prize worthily. once again hearken to our noblest lays! In joyful tones let a song WOLFRAM resound from every throat! When you contended with us for the palm in singing, sometimes you were victorious over our songs, sometimes you suffered defeat through our art: 6

ACT TWO in very distant lands. Dark oblivion has fallen between yesterday and today. The Minstrels’ Hall in the Wartburg All memory has suddenly deserted me and one thing only must I remember, Scene One that I never dared hope to greet you again Elisabeth nor raise my eyes to you.

ELISABETH ELISABETH Dear hall, I greet thee again! What was it then that led you back? Gladly I greet thee, beloved place! In thee his songs will waken TANNHÄUSER and rouse me from my gloomy dreams. It was a miracle, When he from here departed, a mysterious, mighty miracle! how bleak thou didst seem to me! All peace forsook me, ELISABETH all pleasure in thee vanished. This miracle I praise But now my heart is exalted from the depths of my heart! and thou dost seem proud Forgive me if I know not what I say! and stately once again, I am in a dream, and more foolish than a child. for he who revives both thee and me Helpless before the might of this marvel. no longer tarries far away. I scarcely know myself any longer: o help me Greetings, greetings! solve the riddle in my heart! Dear hall, I greet thee! To minstrels’ beguiling music I formerly lent a willing and a constant car; Scene Two their singing and their paeans Wolfram, Tannhäuser, Elisabeth seemed a delightful recreation. But what a strange new life WOLFRAM your song aroused in my breast! There she is: approach her undisturbed! Now I was as if wracked with pain, now as if pierced with sudden joy. TANNHÄUSER Emotions I had never felt! O princess! Longings I had never known! What once had delighted me had vanished ELISABETH before these yet unnamed raptures! Heavens! Do not kneel! Leave me! And then when you left us, I may not see you here! my peace and joy were gone; TANNHÄUSER the melodies the minstrels sang You may! O stay seemed stale to me, and cheerless their ideas. and let me remain at your feet! In dreams I felt dull pain; waking, I was filled with troubled fancies; ELISABETH joy had fled from my heart - Rise, I beg you! Heinrich! What did you do to me? You must not kneel here, for this hall is your kingdom. Arise! TANNHÄUSER Accept my thanks for your return! The god of love be praised: Where have you tarried so long? he touched my harp strings, spoke to you in my melodies, TANNHÄUSER and has led me here to you! Far from here, 7

ELISABETH today by song shall be revealed Blessed be this hour, and crowned with fulfilment. blessed be the power Our gracious art shall do the deed! that brought me the wondrous tidings Already the nobles of my land are approaching, that you were near. whom I have bidden to this solemn tournament; Encircled by the glow of bliss, more numerous than ever they come, on me the sun now smiles; for they have heard awakened to new life, that you will be the princess of the festival. I can call joy mine! Scene Four TANNHÄUSER Blessed be this hour, Counts, Knights, Pages, Landgrave, Wolfram, blessed be the power Tannhäuser, Minstrels, Elisabeth that brought me the wondrous tidings CHORUS from your lips. Joyfully we greet this noble hall To this new-found life where only art and peace shall ever dwell, may I now wholly devote myself; where long the glad cry shall resound, trembling with joy, “Hail to Thuringia’s prince, I name its fairest wonder mine! the Landgrave Hermann!” WOLFRAM LANDGRAVE So am I bereft Full often, dear minstrels, in this hall of all light of hope in this life! have your fine songs resounded; with wise allegories and merry lays alike Scene Three you have gladdened our heart. Landgrave, Elisabeth If our sword in stern bloody battles fought for the supremacy of the German State, LANDGRAVE if we withstood the savage Guelphs Do I find you in this hall, and held disastrous discord in check, which you have avoided for so long? you won no less a prize. Does the festival of song that we prepare For charm and gracious ways, at last attract you? for virtue and unsullied faith, ELISABETH you achieved with your art O uncle, who are a father to me! a great and mighty victory. Prepare then for us today another festival, LANDGRAVE now that the valiant singer, whom we for long Would you then at last so sadly missed, has returned to us. unlock your heart to me? What brought him back among us remains to me a mysterious secret: ELISABETH you shall reveal it to us through the art of song, Look in my eyes! I cannot speak. therefore I now propose this theme to you: Can you fathom the nature of love? LANDGRAVE He who most worthily succeeds Then for a little while shall from Elisabeth receive the prize; let your sweet secret remain undisclosed, let his claim be as bold and lofty as he please, the spell remain unbroken I undertake that she shall grant it. until you are able to reveal it. Up, dear minstrels! Strike your strings! So be it! The wonder The theme is set, strive for the prize, that by song was awakened and aroused and let all accept our thanks in advance! 8

KNIGHTS AND NOBLE LADIES as my longing is insatiable. Hail! Hail to Thuringia’s prince! Thus I constantly refresh myself at the spring Hail to the protector of the gracious art! so that my craving may burn forever: know then, Wolfram, how I regard FOUR PAGES the true nature of love! Wolfram von Eschenbach, begin! WALTER VON DER VOGELWEIDE WOLFRAM The fountain of which Wolfram told us As I look around on this noble assembly, is known to the light of my spirit too; what a glorious sight makes my heart glow! but you, Heinrich, who were afire So many heroes, valiant, upright and wise, with thirst for it, truly know it not. like a proud oakwood, splendid, fresh and Let me then declare it and teach you green; that the fountain is true virtue. and I see ladies lovely and virtuous, Ardently you must revere it a fair garland of most fragrant flowers. and worship its sweet limpidity. My gaze is dazzled by this display, If you lay your lips to its waters my song is silenced to cool impure passions, before such beauteous luster. yes, if you will but sip at the brink, Then I raise my eyes to one single star its magic power will vanish forever! up in the heavens which shines on me: If you wish for refreshment from this source, my spirit is comforted by that distant radiance it must be through your heart, not your lips. and my soul devoutly sinks in prayer. And lo! I behold a fountain of delights THE LISTENERS on which my spirit gazes, filled with wonder: Hail, Walter! Praises to your song! from it there flows blissful joy by which my heart is inexpressibly refreshed. TANNHÄUSER O never may I sully that fountain O Walter, if thus you sing, or cloud its limpid waters with impure thoughts! you badly belie love! In devotion I would sacrifice myself If so timid is your longing, and gladly shed the last drop your world will truly run dry. of my heart’s blood. Look up to heaven, behold its stars, You nobles may gather from these words in praise of God in the supreme heights! how I regard the purest essence of love. Give humble worship to such wonders, for you shall never know them! KNIGHTS AND LADIES But that which deigns to human contact, ‘Tis so! ‘Tis so! Praised be your song! which lies near to heart and thought, that which, created for like matter, TANNHÄUSER inclines to us in soft flesh, I too may count myself lucky enough that is for enjoyment in happy desire, to see what you, Wolfram, saw! and in enjoyment alone do I recognize love! Who should not know that fountain? Hearken, its virtues I will cry aloud! BITEROLF But I cannot approach its source Come forth to combat with us all! without feeling ardent longing: Who could hear you in silence? my burning thirst I must assuage If your pride will allow you, by confidently pressing my lips to it: now listen to me, blasphemer! I drink down bliss in full draughts, When great love inspires me, unhindered by any hesitation; it steels my sword and my spirit; for the fountain is inexhaustible, to preserve it in its purity forever 9

I would proudly shed my lifeblood. Only he who has known Woman’s virtue and high honor will I, your ardent embrace knows what love is; as a knight, defend with my sword; poor wretches who have never tasted love, but those delights that captured your immaturity away! Hasten to the hill of Venus! are shoddy, not worth a blow. ALL KNIGHTS AND LADIES Oh, he is wicked! Fly from him! Hail, Biterolf! Hark, he was in the Venusberg!

KNIGHTS NOBLE LADIES Here are our swords! Away! Away from his presence!

TANNHÄUSER WOLFRAM Ha, you foolish braggart, Biterolf! You heard it! Do you sing of love, you fierce wolf? Assuredly you have never known LANDGRAVE, MINSTRELS AND KNIGHTS that which I find pleasurable. You heard it! His sinful lips What, poor wretch, have you known of have confessed his fearful crime. pleasure? He has shared the joys of Hell, Your life was lacking in love, he has dwelt within the Venusberg! and what paltry joys befell you Abominable! Monstrous! Damnable! were indeed not worth a blow! Steep your swords in his blood! Let him be condemned and banished KNIGHTS and sent back to the bottomless pit of Hell! We’ll hear no more! End this audacity! ELISABETH LANDGRAVE Stay your hands! to Biterolf Put up your sword! Minstrels, keep the peace! WALTER, BITEROLF, REINMAR What do I hear? WOLFRAM O heaven, let me now implore thee, LANDGRAVE, KNIGHTS AND MINSTRELS grant my song divine approval! What? What do I see? Elisabeth! Let me see sin banished The chaste maiden shielding the sinner? from this noble, pure assembly! Let my song resound ELISABETH inspired by thee, sacred love, Stand back! For death I care nothing! that pierced my very soul What are the wounds your swords could cause in angelic beauty! against the deadly blow he has dealt me? Thou didst come from heaven, I follow from afar; LANDGRAVE, KNIGHTS AND MINSTRELS so guide me to that land Elisabeth! Can we believe it? where thy star shines forever. How can your heart so delude you as to stave off punishment from him TANNHÄUSER who so vilely has deceived you? To you, goddess of love, shall my song be raised! ELISABETH Loudly let me now sing your praise! What do I matter? But he must be saved! Your sweet charms are the source of all beauty, Would you rob him of eternal salvation? and every fair wonder springs from you. 10

LANDGRAVE, KNIGHTS AND MINSTRELS who sent me my guardian angel, He has forfeited all hope, have mercy on me, so deep in sin, alas, never will he earn salvation! that to my shame The curse of heaven has fallen on him: I did not recognize heaven’s messenger! let him go hence with his sins upon his head! Have mercy, o have mercy on me!

ELISABETH ELISABETH Stand back from him! I plead for him, I plead for his life, ‘Tis not for you to judge him! let him contritely turn his steps to atonement! Shame on you! Cast aside your cruel swords, Let him regain the strength of the belief and give ear to a spotless virgin’s words’. that the Savior once suffered for him too! Through me learn what is God’s will! This hapless man, that a fearful, LANDGRAVE, KNIGHTS AND MINSTRELS mighty spell holds captive - What? What do I see? Elisabeth! what, may he never find salvation The chaste maiden shielding the sinner? through repentance and atonement in this world? LANDGRAVE You who are so strong in purity of faith, A fearful misdeed has been committed. is this how you understand the will of heaven? Into our midst in treacherous guise If you would deny hope to the sinner, there stole sin’s curse-laden son. then say, what harm did he do you? We cast you out — Behold me, a maiden whose blossoming you shall not dwell among us; he has cut short with one sudden blow; through you our hearth is defiled, exultantly he has broken my heart, and heaven itself looks menacingly on this roof I who loved him with all my being.’ which sheltered you too long. I plead for him, I plead for his life, But one way lies open to save you let him contritely turn his steps to atonement! from eternal perdition; though I banish you, Let him regain the strength of the belief I point it out. Take it and save your soul! that the Savior once suffered for him too! From my lands a throng of pilgrims has assembled, intent on penance. TANNHÄUSER The elders have already set forth, Alas! Wretch that I am! the younger are still halted in the valley. Their hearts will give them no peace LANDGRAVE, KNIGHTS AND MINSTRELS even for more venial sins, An angel has descended from the realms of light and to still the pious promptings of repentance to bring us God’s holy message. they go to the shrine of grace in Rome. Look up, vile traitor, and realize your sin! LANDGRAVE, MINSTRELS AND KNIGHTS You gave her death, she begs for your life; With them you shall travel who could hear an angel’s plea unmoved? to the city of gracious mercy, Though I may not forgive the sinner, there prostrate yourself in the dust I cannot oppose Heaven’s word. and atone for your sin! Humble yourself before him TANNHÄUSER who pronounces God’s judgement; To lead the sinner to salvation and never return an angel was sent down to me from heaven! until you have gained his pardon! But ah, profaning her by my presence, Our vengeance we were forced to temper I turned on her a lascivious gaze! because an angel interceded for you, O thou, high above this mortal earth, 11 but this sword will smite you ACT THREE if you remain in sin and shame! Introduction ELISABETH The Valley in Front of the Wartburg, O God of grace and mercy, the Hörselberg let him seek and find thee! Though he has fallen so low, Scene One forgive his debt of sin! Wolfram, Pilgrims, Elisabeth For him alone will I plead, and spend my life in prayer; WOLFRAM let him see thy radiance I well knew that I would find her here in prayer, before eternal night claims him! as I have so often seen her when I’ve wandered O receive a sacrifice alone from the wooded heights into the valley, made with fearful joy! With the deathblow he dealt her in her heart, Take, o take my life: racked with burning sorrow, I count it no longer my own! day and night she prays for his salvation: O blessed love, how great thy power! TANNHÄUSER She awaits the pilgrims’ return from Rome. How shall I find pardon, The leaves are already falling, how atone for my sin? soon they will be home. I have seen salvation vanish, Will he return with them, pardoned? heaven’s mercy withdrawn from me. That is her question, that is her prayer; But I will go forth as a penitent, ye holy ones, let it be fulfilled! to beat my breast But if her wound remains unhealed, and kneel in the dust, O grant her some solace! contrition be my willing lot. O could she but forgive me, PILGRIMS my guardian angel, With joy, my home, I now behold thee, who, so rudely betrayed, and gladly greet thy smiling meadows; yet offers herself as sacrifice for me! now I lay down my pilgrim’s staff, for, submissive to God, I have made my PILGRIMS pilgrimage. At the high celebration of God’s grace By atonement and repentance I have made my I will humbly expiate my guilt; peace blessed is he who is steadfast in his faith: with the Lord, to whom my heart bows down, through repentance shall he be redeemed, who has crowned my remorse with blessing, the Lord to whom I raise my song. TANNHÄUSER The grace of salvation is granted to the penitent, To Rome! who shall enter into the peace of heaven! Hell and death cannot affright him, ELISABETH, LANDGRAVE, KNIGHTS AND therefore will I praise God MINSTRELS all the days of my life. To Rome! Hallelujah for evermore!

ELISABETH That is their song —’tis they. They have returned! Ye holy ones, show me now my task, that I may worthily fulfil it! 12

WOLFRAM your friendly beam It is the pilgrims — it is the pious hymn penetrates the twilight gloom telling of grace and mercy received. and points the way out from the valley. O heaven, now strengthen her heart for this crucial moment of her life! O my fair evening star, I always gladly greeted thee: ELISABETH from a heart that never betrayed its faith He has not returned! greet her when she passes, when she soars above this mortal vale PILGRIMS to become a blessed angel in heaven! With joy, my home, I now behold thee, and gladly greet thy smiling meadows; Scene Three now I lay down my pilgrim’s staff … Tannhäuser, Wolfram, Venus, Landgrave, ELISABETH Minstrels, Knights, Pilgrims Almighty Virgin, hear my plea! Queen of glory, to thee I call! TANNHÄUSER Let me turn to dust before thee, I heard a harp — how sad a sound! O take me from this earth! It could not be from her. Let me enter, pure and spotless, WOLFRAM into thy blessed kingdom! Who are you, pilgrim, If ever, engrossed in vain fancies, who wander so alone? my heart turned away from thee, TANNHÄUSER if ever a sinful desire Who am I? or earthly longing rose within me, But I know you full well; I strove with untold anguish you are Wolfram, the skilled minstrel. to stifle it in my heart! WOLFRAM Then, though of every fault I am not shriven, Heinrich! You! turn thy gracious face to me, What brings you back here? Speak! that I may, a worthy maid, Do you dare, still unabsolved, approach thee with humble devotion to set foot in this region? to implore the rich bounty of thy mercy for his offence! TANNHÄUSER Have no fear, worthy minstrel! WOLFRAM I seek not you nor any of your company. Elisabeth, may I not escort you home? I seek for one who can show me the way, that way which once I found with such ease. Scene Two Wolfram WOLFRAM Which way is that? WOLFRAM Like a portent of death, TANNHÄUSER twilight shrouds the earth The way to the Venusberg! and envelops the valley in its sable robe; the soul, that yearns for those heights, WOLFRAM dreads to take its dark and awful flight. Monster! Do not profane my ear! There you shine, o fairest of the stars, Is that your goal? and shed your gentle light from afar; 13

TANNHÄUSER which she once shed for me, a sinner. Do you know the way? When at my side the heaviest laden pilgrim took the road, WOLFRAM his burden seemed for me too light: Madman! To hear you fills me with horror! when his foot trod the soft ground Where have you been? Did you not go to of the meadow, Rome? my naked sole sought thorns and stones; when he refreshed his lips at some fountain, TANNHÄUSER I drank in the sun’s scorching heat; Do not speak of Rome! when he offered up his pious prayers to heaven, I shed my blood in praise of God; WOLFRAM when in the hospice he eased his weariness, Were you not at the holy service? I laid my limbs in snow and ice. With eyes closed, not to see its beauties, TANNHÄUSER I blindly passed through Italy’s fair fields. Speak not of that! All this I did, wishing to atone in remorse, WOLFRAM so as to lighten my angel’s tears! Were you not there? Thus I reached Rome and the holy places Speak, I implore you! and lay in prayer at the threshold of the shrine. Daylight broke, bells pealed, TANNHÄUSER heavenly strains rang out from on high; I was indeed in Rome. an ardent cry of joy burst forth that grace and healing WOLFRAM were promised to the throng. Then speak! Tell me all, unhappy man! Then I saw him through whom God speaks; I am seized with deep compassion for you. before him all abased themselves in the dust; to thousands he gave his blessing, TANNHÄUSER thousands, pardoned, he bade joyfully arise. What say you, Wolfram? Then I too drew near; Are you not, then, my foe? my head bowed to the ground and beating my breast in sorrow, WOLFRAM I confessed my sins, I was never that, while I thought you honorable! the evil desires that had filled my mind, But speak! You made your pilgrimage to Rome? the longing that no penance yet had stilled; and for deliverance from these burning fetters TANNHÄUSER I cried, pierced with bitter anguish. Well then, listen! And he to whom I prayed replied: Wolfram, you shall learn what happened. “If you have felt such sinful desires Wolfram is about to sit by his side and warmed yourself at Hell’s fires, Away from me! Wherever I rest if you have dwelt within the Venusberg, is accursed. you are forever accursed! Now listen, Wolfram, listen well! As this staff in my hand With a fervor in my heart such as no penitent will nevermore put forth a living leaf, had ever felt, I sought the way to Rome. so from the burning brand of Hell An angel had banished salvation never will bloom for you! my overweening sin of pride: Then I sank down, crushed and in despair, for her sake 1 wished humbly to atone, my senses left me. When I awoke, to beg for the grace once denied me, night had fallen on the empty square, to lighten for her those tears but from afar sounded joyful hymns of praise. 14

The sweet songs sickened me: VENUS from the lying sounds of promise Welcome, fickle man! which pierced my soul with icy chill, Did earth reject and banish you? horror drove me forth in wild flight. And do you nowhere find compassion, It drove me here, where once I so enjoyed and seek for love in my arms? bliss and pleasure on her warm breast! To you, fair Venus, I return, TANNHÄUSER to the sweet darkness of your spell; O Venus, generous of mercy! I will come down to your court, To you, to you I am driven! where your charms now shall ever smile on me! WOLFRAM WOLFRAM Enchantments of Hell, away, away! Stop, stop, unhappy man! Do not ensnare the hearts of the righteous!

TANNHÄUSER VENUS Ah, let me not seek in vain; If you again approach my realm, how easily I once did find you! your pride shall be forgiven; You hear that by men I am accursed; the fount of pleasure will flow for you forever now, sweet goddess, lead me to you! and never shall you fly from me!

WOLFRAM TANNHÄUSER Madman, whom are you calling? All hope of salvation is lost to me; now let me choose the delights of Hell! TANNHÄUSER Ha! Do you not feel gentle breezes? WOLFRAM Almighty Lord, help thy servant! WOLFRAM Heinrich, one word will set you free: Stay with me, or you are lost! your salvation!

TANNHÄUSER VENUS And do you not breathe sweet fragrance? O come! Do you not hear rapturous voices? TANNHÄUSER WOLFRAM to Wolfram My heart trembles with wild dread. Away from me!

TANNHÄUSER VENUS That is the dancing host of nymphs! O come! Be mine now forever! Come on! Come on to bliss and joy! WOLFRAM WOLFRAM You can still gain pardon for your sins! Alas! Black magic is abroad! Hell’s wild course draws near. TANNHÄUSER Never, Wolfram, never! I must away! TANNHÄUSER Rapture surges through my senses WOLFRAM as this roseate glow I see; An angel prayed for you on earth, this is the magic realm of love. soon she will send her blessing down to you. Let us away to the Venusberg! VENUS Come to me! 15

WOLFRAM hath manifested himself through a miracle. Elisabeth! The barren staff in the priest’s hand he has decked with fresh green: TANNHÄUSER so to the sinner in Hell’s flames Elisabeth! shall redemption bloom anew! Proclaim it through every land MINSTRELS AND MALE CHORUS that through this miracle he found grace! Hail to the soul that now has flown God reigns high above the whole world, from the body of this virtuous sufferer! and his compassion is never sought in vain! Halleluja! Halleluja Halleluja! WOLFRAM Your angel pleads for you at God’s throne, LANDGRAVE, MINSTRELs, KNIGHTS AND and her prayer is heard! Heinrich, you are PILGRIMS saved! The grace of God is granted to the penitent; now he enters into the bliss of heaven! VENUS Alas! Lost to me! Curtain From the Wartburg a funeral procession bears an open coffin.

MINSTRELS AND MALE CHORUS Hers be the angels’ blessed reward, the rich crown of heavenly joys.

WOLFRAM Do you hear the chant?

TANNHÄUSER I hear it!

MINSTRELS AND MALE CHORUS Blessed be the pure one, who now stands among the heaveniv host before the Eternal! Blessed be the sinner for whom she wept, for whom she implored heaven’s mercy!

Wolfram leads Tannhäuser to the coffin, on which he sinks.

TANNHÄUSER Holy Elisabeth, pray for me!

He dies.

PILGRIMS carrying in their midst a priest’s staff covered in fresh, green leaves Hail! Hail! Hail to this miracle of grace! Salvation to the world is given. In this holy hour of night the Lord