Tannhäuser und der Sängerkrieg auf der Wartburg

Opera by Wagner (libretto by composer), produced at Dresden on 19 October 1845. It was later revised for Paris, with bacchanale in the first act, and produced at the Opéra on 13 March 1861. The story concerns Tannhäuser, torn between the conflicting demands of carnal Venus and virginal Elisabeth. In the end, Tannhäuser expires before absolution arrives from Rome.