8.06.2015 Tannhäuser libretto (English) ­ opera by Richard Wagner
DM's opera
site
Search
libretti &
information
Composers Operas Links Forum About
Other  Tannhäuser libretti [show]
 Tannhäuser by Richard Wagner
Line­by­line [show]
libretto (English)
Contents: Characters~ Act One~ Act Two~ Act Three
ACT THREE
INTRODUCTION
TANNHÄUSER'S PILGRIMAGE
(The Valley of the Wartburg as in Scene Two of Act One. It is
autumn. Evening is falling. Elisabeth is praying before the shrine of
the Blessed Virgin)
SCENE ONE
WOLFRAM
I knew full well I'd find her here in prayer,
as I so often find her, when, down from
the wooded heights, I stray in the valley alone.
The death he dealt her buried deep
in her heart in searing smart,
she prays for his salvation day and night ­
oh, eternal might of holy love!
She awaits the return of the pilgrims from Rome.
The leaves are falling already, their return is imminent.
Will he come back with the pardoned?
This is her question, this is her prayer ­
You Saints in heaven, may she see it consummated!
Though the wound remain unhealed,
oh, that relief, at least, might be granted her!
THE OLDER PILGRIMS
Blest, I may now look on thee, oh, my native land,
http://www.murashev.com/opera/Tannh%C3%A4user_libretto_English_Act_3 1/12
8.06.2015 Tannhäuser libretto (English) ­ opera by Richard Wagner
and gladly greet thy pleasant pastures~
now I lay my pilgrim's staff aside to rest,
because, faithful to God, I have completed my pilgrimage!
ELISABETH
That is their song! It is they! They are returning home!
You saints in heaven, show me now my task,
that I may fulfil it worthily!
WOLFRAM
It is the pilgrims. ­ It is the pious lay
that tells of the salvation of pardon received!
Oh heaven, strengthen now her heart
to meet the crucial moment of her life!
THE OLDER PILGRIMS
Through penance and repentance I have propitiated
the Lord, Whom my heart serves,
Who crowns my repentance with blessing,
the Lord to Whom my song goes up!
The salvation of pardon is granted the penitent,
in days to come he will walk in the peace of the blessed!
Hell and death do not appal him,
therefore will I praise God my life long.
Alleluia! Alleluia in eternity!
ELISABETH
(who has been anxiously
looking for Tannhäuser
among the moving Pilgrims,
sorrowfully but composedly)
He has not returned!
PILGRIMS
Blest, I may now look on thee, oh, my native land,
and gladly greet thy pleasant pastures~
now I lay my pilgrim's staff aside to rest.
(The Pilgrims' voices die away little by little in the distance)
http://www.murashev.com/opera/Tannh%C3%A4user_libretto_English_Act_3 2/12
8.06.2015 Tannhäuser libretto (English) ­ opera by Richard Wagner
ELISABETH
(sinks to her knees)
Almighty Virgin, hear my prayer!
I cry to thee, All­glorious!
Let me perish in the dust before thee,
oh, take me from this earth!
Make me, pure and angel­like,
enter into my blessed realm!
If ever, engrossed in foolish fancies,
my heart did stray from thee,
if ever a sinful longing,
a worldly yearning did spring up within me,
I wrestled then beneath a thousand smarts,
to kill it in my heart!
But if I could not atone for every fault ­
yet receive me of thy grace,
that, as a worthy maid, I may
draw near thee in humble greeting,
only to implore the richest favour
of thy mercy for his sin!
(She remains for a long time in devout rapture~ as she rises slowly
she perceives Wolfram, who is approaching to speak to her)
(She entreats him, by a gesture, not to speak to her)
WOLFRAM
Elisabeth, might I not bear you company?
(Elisabeth assures him, by her gestures, that she thanks him from her
heart for his faithful affection, but that her path leads to heaven,
where she has a lofty duty to fulfil~ he must therefore let her go alone
and must not follow her)
(She ascends half­way up the height and gradually disappears along
the footpath leading to the Wartburg, after her form has long been
visible in the distance)
(Wolfram, who has followed Elisabeth with his eyes, seats himself
down and begins to play upon his harp)
SCENE TWO
WOLFRAM
Like a presentiment of death, twilight covers the land
and shrouds the valley in sombre raiment~
the soul that yearns for heaven's heights
is fearful before its flight through night and horror.
There thou shinest, oh loveliest of stars!
http://www.murashev.com/opera/Tannh%C3%A4user_libretto_English_Act_3 3/12
8.06.2015 Tannhäuser libretto (English) ­ opera by Richard Wagner
Thy sweet light thou dost send into the far­off distance,
thy dear beam pierces the evening twilight,
and, in friendly fashion, thou dost point the way out of the valley.
Oh thou, my gracious evening star,
how gladly have I always greeted thee~
from a heart that she never betrayed
salute her as she passes by thee,
as she soars from this earthly vale,
to become a blessed angel yonder.
SCENE THREE
(It is now quite dark. A lone figure, clad in rags, enters. It is
Tannhäuser)
TANNHÄUSER
I heard the strains of a harp ­ how melancholy it sounded ­
It surely did not come from her!
WOLFRAM
Who are you, pilgrim,
that you journey all alone?
TANNHÄUSER
Who am I?
I know you, however, very well! ­ you are Wolfram,
the Singer of great skill!
WOLFRAM
Henry! Is it you?
What brings you to this parts? Tell me!
Do you dare, still unpardoned,
to turn your step hitherward?
TANNHÄUSER
Never fear, my good Singer,
I do not seek to join you, nor your kindred!
But I seek someone who will show me the way
which once I found so wondrous easily.
WOLFRAM
http://www.murashev.com/opera/Tannh%C3%A4user_libretto_English_Act_3 4/12
8.06.2015 Tannhäuser libretto (English) ­ opera by Richard Wagner
And which way is that?
TANNHÄUSER
The way to the Venusberg!
WOLFRAM
Dreadful man! Do not profane my ear!
Are you drawn to that?
TANNHÄUSER
Do you know the way, then?
WOLFRAM
Madman! Horror seizes upon me, when I hear you!
Where have you been? Did you then not tread the road to Rome?
TANNHÄUSER
Speak not of Rome to me!
WOLFRAM
Were you not at the holy feast?
TANNHÄUSER
Speak not of it to me!
WOLFRAM
You weren't there, then?
Speak, I implore you!
TANNHÄUSER
Indeed I was in Rome!
WOLFRAM
Then speak! Tell me about it, unhappy man!
I feel profound pity for you!
TANNHÄUSER
What do you say, Wolfram? Are you then not my enemy?
WOLFRAM
Nor ever was, whilst I believed you devout!
http://www.murashev.com/opera/Tannh%C3%A4user_libretto_English_Act_3 5/12
8.06.2015 Tannhäuser libretto (English) ­ opera by Richard Wagner
Speak, therefore, did you go on pilgrimage to Rome?
TANNHÄUSER
Well then!
Listen! You shall hear all, Wolfram.
(He seats himself wearily
upon a rock. Wolfram
goes to sit beside him)
Keep away! The place where I rest me is accursed!
Hear me, Wolfram, hear me!
With such devotion in my heart as no penitent
has ever felt before, I sought the path to Rome.
An angel had, oh, wrenched the sinful pride
from out my arrogant being~
for her I wished to expiate my fault in humility,
implore the salvation that was denied me,
in order to sweeten for her the tears
she had once shed over me, a sinner!
The manner in which the heaviest­laden pilgrim beside me
took his way appeared to me too easy.
When his foot trod the soft sward of the meadows,
I sought thorn and stone for my bare feet~
when at the spring he would allow his lips to taste refreshment,
I would imbibe the scorching glow of the sun~
when he devoutly offered up his prayers to heaven,
I would shed my blood to the glory of the Almighty~
when the weary pilgrim would refresh himself at the hospice,
I would bed down my limbs in snow and ice.
With eyes fast shut, their beauty not to see,
I dragged myself, blind, through Italy's fair pastures,
I did it, because, filled with remorse, I wished to atone,
in order to sweeten my angel's tears!
I came thus to Rome, to the holy see,
lay prostrate, praying, at the threshold to the sanctuary.
Day dawned~ bells rang out,
heavenly anthems came floating down,
then rose exultantly in a fervent shout of joy,
for they promised pardon and salvation to the multitude.
Then I saw him through whom God proclaims himself ­
all men prostrated themself before him in the dust.
And he bestowed grace on thousands, pardoned,
thousands he commanded joyfully to rise.
Then I, too, drew near ­ my head bowed down to earth ­
http://www.murashev.com/opera/Tannh%C3%A4user_libretto_English_Act_3 6/12
8.06.2015 Tannhäuser libretto (English) ­ opera by Richard Wagner
with sorely grieving mien, myself I accused
of the sinful delights my senses had experienced,
of the longings no penance had yet cooled~
and for deliverance from the searing bonds,
shot through with savage pain, I implored him.
And he whom I so begged began: ­
"If you have enjoyed such sinful delights
and enflamed your passions at the fires of hell,
if you have sojourned in the Venusberg,
then, now from henceforth, you are eternally damned!
As this staff in my hand
no longer bedecks itself in fresh green,
so from the burning brands of hell
deliverance can never blossom for you!"
Then I sank, annihilated, speechless, to the ground~
I fainted clean away.
When I woke, night brooded over the deserted square,
from afar off echoed glad songs of grace:
the sweet singing sickened me!
From the false sound of promise
which, icy­cold, pierced my soul,
shuddering horror forced me away with wildly staggering step!
It drove me there where I had enjoyed so much delight
and pleasure on her warm breast!
To you, dame Venus, do I return,
into thy magic's sweet night~
to your court do I descend,
where your alluring charm will smile upon me now for always!
WOLFRAM
Hold! Hold, unhappy man!
TANNHÄUSER
Oh, let me not seek in vain!
How easily did I find you once!
WOLFRAM
Hold, wretched man!
TANNHÄUSER
You hear men curse me
guide me now, sweet goddess!
(A vaporous mist gradually fills the darkness)
http://www.murashev.com/opera/Tannh%C3%A4user_libretto_English_Act_3 7/12
8.06.2015 Tannhäuser libretto (English) ­ opera by Richard Wagner
WOLFRAM
(shudders with horror)
Madman, whom do you call?
TANNHÄUSER
Ha! Do you not feel gentle airs?
WOLFRAM
Come to me! You are lost!
TANNHÄUSER
And do you not breathe sweet perfumes?
(The mists begin to glow
with rosy light)
Do you not hear sounds of rejoicing?
WOLFRAM
My heart beats madly in dread!
TANNHÄUSER
It is the dancing horde of nymphs!
Come on, come here to rapture and delight!
(A confused whirl of dancing shapes can be faintly distinguished)
WOLFRAM
Alas, evil magic is abroad!
Hell is approaching in wild career.
TANNHÄUSER
Rapture thrills my every sense,
when I perceive this glimmering dawn~
this is the magic realm of love ­
we have forced our way into the Venusberg!
(Venus appears, reclining seductively upon her couch)
VENUS
Welcome fickle man!
Did the world strike you with ostracism and excommunication?
And, finding nowhere pity,
do you now seek love in my arms?
TANNHÄUSER
Dame Venus, oh, truly merciful,
to you, to you am I driven!
http://www.murashev.com/opera/Tannh%C3%A4user_libretto_English_Act_3 8/12
8.06.2015 Tannhäuser libretto (English) ­ opera by Richard Wagner
WOLFRAM
Magic of hell, turn aside, withdraw!
Do not bewitch the chaste man's senses!
VENUS
If you approach my threshold once again,
let your arrogance be pardoned,
the fount of delight flow for ever for you,
and never must you fly from me more!
TANNHÄUSER
My salvation, my salvation I have lost, now let the pleasures of hell
be my choice!
WOLFRAM
Almighty God, stand by the devout man!
Henry! One word, it will set you free!
Your salvation!
VENUS
Oh, come! Oh, come! Now be for ever mine!
TANNHÄUSER
(to Wolfram)
Have done! Let me be!
WOLFRAM
You may yet achieve salvation, sinner!
VENUS
Oh, come!
TANNHÄUSER
Never. Wolfram, never! I must away there!
WOLFRAM
An angel prayed for you upon earth,
soon she will soar above you, blessing~
VENUS
Come, oh, come! To me! To me!
http://www.murashev.com/opera/Tannh%C3%A4user_libretto_English_Act_3 9/12
8.06.2015 Tannhäuser libretto (English) ­ opera by Richard Wagner
TANNHÄUSER
Leave me!
WOLFRAM
Elisabeth!
TANNHAUSER
Elisabeth!
(The vapours darken and the gleam of approaching torches shines
through them)
WALTHER, HEINRICH DER SCHREIRER, BITEROLF,
REINMAR, MEN
Hail to the soul that is now fled
from the pious martyr's body!
WOLFRAM
Your angel is praying for you at the throne of God,
she has been heard: ­ Henry, you are saved!
VENUS
Lost to me, alas!
(Venus vanishes. The day dawns, as a funeral procession leaves the
Wartburg and approaches)
WALTHER, HEINRICH DER SCHREIRER, BITEROLF,
REINMAR, MEN
Hers is now the angel's blessed recompense,
the supreme prize of celestial bliss!
WOLFRAM
(to Tannhäuser)
And do you hear the chant?
TANNHÄUSER
I do!
(The funeral procession now reaches the open stage. It comprises,
first, the Older Pilgrims, then the Singers bearing Elisabeth's body
on an open bier, then the Landgrave, his Knights and Nobles)
http://www.murashev.com/opera/Tannh%C3%A4user_libretto_English_Act_3 10/12
8.06.2015 Tannhäuser libretto (English) ­ opera by Richard Wagner
MEN
Holy the pure maid who now united with
the heavenly host, stands in the presence of the Everlasting!
Blessed the sinner for whom she wept,
for whom she implores salvation of heaven!
(Wolfram leads Tannhäuser to the bier bearing Elisabeth's body. He
sinks slowly to the ground)
TANNHÄUSER
Holy Elisabeth, pray for me!
(He dies. The scene is flooded by the red glow of dawn)
YOUNGER PILGRIMS
(bearing a staff covered
in fresh green leaves)
Hail! Hail! Hail to the miracle of mercy!
Redemption is conferred upon the world.
It came to pass in the holy hour of night,
the Lord manifested Himself in a miracle.
The barren staff in a priest's hand
He decked with fresh green:
for the sinner in the fires of hell
redemption shall blossom thus afresh!
Throughout all lands let it be proclaimed to him
who has found forgiveness by this miracle!
High above all the world is God,
and His Mercy is no mockery!
WALTHER, HEINRICH DER SCHREIRER, WOLFRAM,
BITEROLF, REINNAR, LANDGRAVE, KNIGHTS AND
OLDER PILGRIMS
The salvation of grace is the penitent's reward,
now he attains the peace of the blessed!
YOUNGER PILGRIMS
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
(The curtain falls)
Contents: Characters~ Act One~ Act Two~ Act Three
http://www.murashev.com/opera/Tannh%C3%A4user_libretto_English_Act_3 11/12
8.06.2015 Tannhäuser libretto (English) ­ opera by Richard Wagner
2012­2013 © Murashev.com
http://www.murashev.com/opera/Tannh%C3%A4user_libretto_English_Act_3 12/12