Wagner's 'Tannhäuser', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a subtlety no other house can match.'

<<< << -- 4 -- Robert Anderson LEAVES OF REGENERATION

At last Tannhäuser makes his painful appearance, apparently rejected out of hand by the hardened heart of Rome. He recounts to Wolfram the slow-dragged progress of his journey to the Eternal City and weary wanderings of his return [watch and listen -- DVD2 chapter 8, 38:25-40:05]. But of course Wagner has a miracle up his sleeve, and indeed the Pope's staff has sprouted leaves of regeneration. Elisabeth may be dead, but the Venus of everlasting spring must await an alternative lover. I am sure this 1989 production would have received a regulation Bayreuth boo. I could not have enjoyed it more, and am grateful to Unitel and EuroArts for a very moving experience.

Wagner: Tannhäuser

2072008 2xDVD9 NTSC 4:3 Region 0 (worldwide) PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1 NEW RELEASE 188' 1990 Unitel, 2006 EuroArts Music International GmbH

Hans Sotin, Hermann; Richard Versalle, Tannhäuser; Wolfgang Brendel, Wolfram von Eschenbach; William Pell, Walther von der Vogelweide; Siegfried Vogel, Biterolf; Clemens Bieber, Heinrich von Screiber; Sándor Sólyom-Nagy, Reinmar von Zweter; Cheryl Studer, Elisabeth; Ruthild Engert-Ely, Venus; Joy Robinson, young shepherd, page; Hannelore Weber, page; Ulrike Heyse, page; Lene Farver-Sonne, page; The Györ Ballet; Chor der Bayreuther Festspiele; Orchester der Bayreuther Festspiele; Iván Markó, choreography; Norbert Balatsch, chorus master; Giuseppe Sinopoli, musical director; Wolfgang Wagner, artistic supervisor, director, staging, sets; Reinhard Heinrich, costumes; Brian Large, TV director; Horant H Hohlfeld, executive producer

Richard Wagner (1813-1883): Tannhäuser und der Sängerkrieg auf Wartburg (Romantic opera in three acts, libretto by Richard Wagner, 1843)

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