Wagner's great battle of the sensual and the spiritual returns to The Royal Opera. A new production by Tim Albery puts Tannhauser back in the repertory after an absence of more than twenty years and with a fine international cast under Semyon Bychkov. Johan Botha - one of the most acclaimed Wagner tenors in the world today- sings the lead role of the artist struggling to reconcile contrasting aspects of his art.

Two great performers, Michaela Schuster as Venus and Eva-Maria Westbroek as Elisabeth, embody Tannhauser's choice: the seductive feeding of the senses or the rich nourishing of the soul. The production combines striking imagery of the two worlds set apart, from the indulgence and abandon of the Venusberg to the privation and sincerity of the Wartburg. And the music of course is full of wonderful melody and powerful drama - a rich vehicle for the world-class Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House. A new production from a production team of proven perception along with an especially fine cast make this a welcome return indeed.

News: Published on Monday 23 November 2010 at 18:54