Tannhauser: No. 39 (English National Opera Guide) - Softcover

Wagner, Richard; Blumer, Rodney

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0714541478 ISBN 13: 9780714541471

Publisher: Calder Publications Ltd, 1988

Synopsis

The English National Opera Guides were originally conceived in partnership with the English National Opera and edited by Nicholas John, the ENO's dramaturg, who died tragically in an accident in the Alps. Most of the guides are devoted to a single opera, which is described in detail?with many articles that cover its history and information about the composer and his times. The complete libretto is included in both the original language and in a modern singing translation?except where the opera was written in English. Each has a thematic guide to the most important musical themes in musical notation and each guide is lavishly illustrated. They also contain a bibliography and a discography which is updated at each reprint. The ENO guides are widely regarded as the best series of their kind and excellent value.

About this title

From the Back Cover

What can explain Wagner's obsession with Tanhauser, an opera which he first conceived in 1845 and still considered unfinished at his death in 1883? The subject is the struggle of a man torn between erotic love and spiritual fulfulment, between worlds of liberation and of sterile order. It contains the kernels of all his later works: man's need for love and artistic satisfaction, his desire for an existence beyond death, the operation of memory and the nature of madness. These essays examine the medieval legends which Wagner chose to weave into his text, and their significance for him. Carolyn Abbate also considers the effect of his many revisions upon the score, pointing out that the initial idea already involved a contrast of musical language to focus the conflict. As Wagner remained unsatisfied with the work, it provokes constant reassessment. There is a new English translation by Rodney Blumer.

Edition details

• Publisher: Calder Publications Ltd
• Publication date: 1988
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0714541478
• ISBN 13: 9780714541471
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 96