Opera Daily

Share this post

Opera Daily 🎶 — Overtures are the appetizers of the opera world

www.youroperadaily.com

Opera Daily 🎶 — Overtures are the appetizers of the opera world

This week's Opera Daily features the overture from the Wagner's opera Tannhäuser

Opera Daily
Nov 13, 2022
17
1
Share this post

Opera Daily 🎶 — Overtures are the appetizers of the opera world

www.youroperadaily.com

👋 Hello to the new Opera Daily subscribers who have joined us this week. A reminder that you can check out the complete Opera Daily archives and the playlist on YouTube for more selections. If you were forwarded this email by a friend, join us by subscribing here:

As the orchestra is tuning their instruments, I can't help but feel a sense of excitement in the air.

The first notes fill the room. I close my eyes, letting the music sweep me away. It’s as if I'm transported to another world where anything is possible.

I lose myself in the music for what seems like hours, until finally it comes to an end. I open my eyes, and applause fills the room. It was even more beautiful than I imagined.

This is what it felt like when I first heard the overture from Wagner’s opera Tannhäuser.

Let’s listen.

🎧 Listening Example (15 minute listen): Wagner’s Tannhäuser, Overture, Wiener Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan, Conductor, 1988

The overture from the opera Tannhäuser is one of the most popular pieces of classical music ever written. It was composed by Richard Wagner in 1845 and is based on the medieval legend of the knight Tannhäuser and the maiden Venus.

The overture starts with a slow, solemn introduction, which represents Tannhäuser’s journey to Venusberg, the home of Venus. The main body of the overture is much faster and more exciting, depicting the knight’s passionate love for Venus. Finally, the music returns to the slow, solemn introduction as Tannhäuser realizes the error of his ways and returns home to his true love, Elizabeth.

This overture is excellent one because it gives a taste of what’s to come, hinting at the characters and story lines explored throughout the rest of the work.

Want more? Stay tuned!

Share

Thank you for reading (and listening), and feel free to reply with feedback or leave a comment.

Michele

PS. If you missed last week’s selection, we featured the Bregenzer Festspiele and Lake Constance, the world's largest lake stage.

❤️ If you enjoyed this selection, please hit the heart to like it (and share it too!)

1
Share this post

Opera Daily 🎶 — Overtures are the appetizers of the opera world

www.youroperadaily.com
1 Comment
Daniel P Quinn
Writes ArtsPRunlimited, Inc
Nov 13, 2022

Tannhauser is a conflated mess between the original score and the Paris version, both of which are over the top. My recording was the controversial edition with Grace Bumbry as Venus. The opera is bloated and has elements of faux Christian piety as in Parsifal. Have never seen it on stage as it exhibits hedonism at The Met or the Crusades elsewhere.

Expand full comment
Reply
TopNewCommunity

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 Opera Daily
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing