Tannhäuser is a German knight and a travelling poet and minnesinger from the 13^th century. The most famous version of the legend describes him as a descendant of the Tannhausen family related to the Imperial ministerium: this has been documented in different sources dating back to the 13^th century. The illustrated Codex Manesse manuscript (written around 1300-1340) depicts Tannhäuser dressed in the Teutonic order’s attire which suggests he may have taken part in the Sixth Holy Crusade led by emperor Friedrich II in 1228/1229.

 Based on the “Song of Atonement”, Tannhäuser became the protagonist in a legendary tale in which he was a knight and poet, having discovered Venus’ cave and having spent a year in servitude to the goddess. After leaving the cave, Tannhäuser is filled with regret and travels to Rome in order to beg pope Urban IV (ruled from 1261-1264) to absolve his sins. Urban’s answer is that his own pope staff would sooner bloom than he would absolve Tannhäuser’s sins. Three days after Tannhäuser’s departure, Urban IV’s staff really blooms; emissaries set off after the knight but he was never seen again.

 Richard Wagner had the idea of creating an opera inspired by the legend of Tannhäuser all the way back in 1841. The basis for the plot is the legend of Tannhäuser as well as the actual singers’ contest which took place at the Wartburg castle, near Eisenach. Wagner also used contemporary literature sources for inspiration such as works by E.T.A. Hoffman and Ludwig Tick.

 The premiere of the opera “Tannhäuser” by Richard Wagner” took place on the 19^th of October, 1845, in Dresden. The piece underwent two subsequent edits: one in Paris, in 1861, and one in Vienna, in 1875. The opera was performed in Bulgaria for the first time in 1931, with Stefan Makedonski in the role of “Tannhäuser”.

This is the Sofia Opera’s fourth production of “Tannhäuser” after a long pause of forty-two years. Conductor: Konstantin Trinks; director: Plamen Kartaloff; scenography: Sven Jonke; costumes: Hristiyana Mihaleva-Zorbalieva; artistic lighting: Andrew Haidinyak; plastics: Masha Ilieva.

https://www.operasofia.bg/repertoire/WAGNER_FESTIVAL