Prom 29 - 4.08.13: Wagner – Tannhäuser

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

6.00pm – c. 10.10pm
Royal Albert Hall

Wagner
Tannhäuser, WWV 70 (183 mins)
(concert performance; sung in German)

Robert Dean Smith tenor (Tannhäuser)
Heidi Melton soprano, Proms debut artist (Elisabeth)
Daniela Sindram mezzo-soprano, Proms debut artist (Venus)
Ain Anger bass, Proms debut artist (Landgraf)
Christoph Pohl baritone, Proms debut artist (Wolfram)
Thomas Blondelle tenor, Proms debut artist (Walther)
Andrew Rees tenor (Heinrich)
Brian Bannatyne-Scott bass (Reinmar)
Ashley Holland baritone (Biterolf)
Hila Fahima soprano, Proms debut artist (Shepherd Boy)
Chorus of the Deutsche Oper Berlin
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Donald Runnicles conductor

Knightly minstrel Tannhäuser has been lover of the godess Venus for a year and a day when he invokes the name of the Virgin Mary and is sent back to the mortal world. There he is reunited with Elisabeth, niece of Landgraf, and a singing tournament is arranged with her hand as the prize. When Tannhäuser sings in praise of Venus he is forced to become a pilgrim and seek absolution from the Pope in Rome .....

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

One of my favourite operas. But is it Dresden or Paris?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

But is it Dresden or Paris?

Good question. The "WWV" number doesn't help as, although fragments of possible libretti and Musical sketches (none of which came to "fruition") are each given a catalogue number, the editors in their wisdom didn't think to suggest* a "WWV70a" and "WWV 70b" to distinguish the two versions!

* = actually, I don't know this - it may be that they did "think of it" but decided it was more fun for us to guess which version was on offer.

[ARBurton]

OK, so hands up who decided to put all the mikes in the brass..???

[Flosshilde]

One of my favourite operas. But is it Dresden or Paris?

Presumably the beginning - which I missed - will provide the answer

[mercia]

not that I would know the difference, but the online vocal score I have been following says it is the Paris version

[RobertLeDiable]

Terrific first act. Good singing and excellent playing. The Deutsche Oper chorus is one of the world's best. Runnicles really knows how to pace this piece.

[DracoM]

And for once, a truly absorbing interval discussion by three intelligent, well-informed commentators between Acts 1 and 2. Real Radio 3.

[Flosshilde]

Terrific first act. Good singing and excellent playing. The Deutsche Oper chorus is one of the world's best. Runnicles really knows how to pace this piece.

I didn't realise that he'd conducted it at Bayreuth.

[gedsmk]

I didn't realise that he'd conducted it at Bayreuth.

Three times, I think.
A thoroughly well done performance, Runnicles showing his mastery of off stage effects and of the chorus, as usual.

[Flosshilde]

Runnicles also 'has form' with Robert Dean Smith & Heidi Melton. The former was the 3rd Act Tristan in Tristan & Isolde with the BBCSSO, & Heidi Melton also sang (Mahler, if memory serves) with them under Runnicles a couple of seasons ago - she was one of his protoges from his time with the San Francisco Opera (I think)

[amac4165]

absolutely stunning performance in the hallI think on balance every bit as good as barenboim and the ring

[Ferretfancy]

not that I would know the difference, but the online vocal score I have been following says it is the Paris version

Apparently it was the 1875 Vienna version with some additions from the Dresden version in Act 1. In the talk at the RCM which was edited down for the interval broadcast, there was time for questions, but James Jolly asked "please no questions about versions "and I can understand why.

Tonight was a long haul standing in the Arena, but well worth it, excellent performances and orchestral playing and what a wonderful chorus!

The offstage horns were fantastic, and having a complete offstage orchestra for the echo of the Venusberg music in the last act was a master stroke. I'm not sure how these sounded on air, but the effect in the hall was magic.

[David-G]

absolutely stunning performance in the hallI think on balance every bit as good as barenboim and the ring

I am very glad to hear that! I would have been tempted to come, but I was at Glyndebourne.

[DracoM]

absolutely stunning performance in the hallI think on balance every bit as good as barenboim and the ring

Absolutely agree. Heard it only by radio but it was gripping, played and performed at a really high intensity, and the major principals, particularly Robert Dean, were indefatigable and clearly totally committed. Terrific feather in the Scottish cap + Runnicles keeping the thing moving, and disciplined. In some ways better than the Barenboim even.