Review by claudio_carvalho

The painter Tannhäuser (Peter Seiffert) is charmed and makes profane love with the goddess Venus (Béatrice Uria-Monzon). He casts out her spell and goes to a contest in an art gallery with other painters. However he is banished by the other painters and only the virgin Elisabeth (Petra Maria Schnitzer) that loves him defends Tannhäuser. He is forced to join a group of pilgrims to Rome to find atonement and follow the path to salvation. Later when the pilgrims return from Rome, the sinner Tannhäuser tells to Wolfram von Eschenbach (Markus Eiche) that he was not blessed with grace and absolution despite his journey of sacrifice through Italy. The sinner Tannhäuser summons Venus and her realm of love back. However Elisabeth plea to God is listened and Tannhäuser is blessed and his soul gains the grace of heaven.

"Tannhauser" is an opera by Richard Wagner divided in three acts and based on the fight between pure and carnal love. This modern version changes the original medieval story to the present days and Tannháuser is not a troubadour but a painter despite of the lyrics. This is the first time that I see this opera and I really loved it. The first act is unusual, with the beautiful Béatrice Uria-Monzon completely naked and a strange bacchanal scene. The second act in an art gallery is also different. The conclusion shows the fight between the profane and the sacred loved wined by Elisabeth. The Orquestra Simfònica del Gran Teatre del Liceu, the choral and the singers have outstanding work. The theater has an excellent acoustic and the DVD is marvelous. My vote is ten.

Title (Brazil): "Tannhäuser"