/lit/ - Literature

>>17270163
Absolutely based. It's interesting how one can see the development of Wagner's use of mass vocal parts, from his very earliest work through to Tannhauser and Lohengrin and so on. The Tannhauser finale to act 2 I probably prefer to act 3.

https://youtu.be/9x1gR0RBsno?t=3715

LANDGRAVE
A fearful wrong has been committed.
With dissembling mask, the accursed
son of sin came crawling to us.
We cast you out from among us: with us
you may not tarry; our hearth is stained with shame
through you, and heaven itself looks threateningly
upon this roof, which has sheltered you too long already.
However, a way to deliverance from eternal damnation
stands open before you: rejecting you,
I point it out to you. Make use of it for your salvation!
Gathered together on my lands
is a great concourse of pilgrim penitents.
The older ones have gone on before already,
the younger are still resting in the valley.
Trifling though their transgressions be,
their hearts will give them no rest;
to still the devout distress of repentance
they are marching towards Rome for the feast of grace.

LANDGRAVE. SINGERS. KNIGHTS
You must go along with them on pilgrimage
to the city of clemency and grace,
in the dust there to fall prostrate
and atone for your sin!
Before him who pronounces the sentence
of God, cast yourself down;
but nevermore return,
if you do not receive his blessing! Though our anger has been forced to soften,
because an angel checked it,
this sword will despatch you,
if you linger in sin and disgrace!

ELISABETH
Let him journey to thee,
Thou God of clemency and grace!
Forgive him, who has fallen so low,

the guilt of his sin!
For him only will I pray,
may my life be prayer;
grant that he may see Thy light,
before he is lost in night!
In joyful trepidation,
let a sacrifice be dedicated to Thee!
Take, oh, take my life:
I no longer call it mine!

http://www.murashev.com/opera/Tannh%C3%A4user_libretto_English_German

>>16932840
>>16932958
>>16933397
By seeking pilgrimage to the city of clemency and grace.


https://youtu.be/9x1gR0RBsno?t=3715

When the singing starts, the libretto continues from here:

LANDGRAVE
A fearful wrong has been committed.
With dissembling mask, the accursed
son of sin came crawling to us.
We cast you out from among us: with us
you may not tarry; our hearth is stained with shame
through you, and heaven itself looks threateningly
upon this roof, which has sheltered you too long already.
However, a way to deliverance from eternal damnation
stands open before you: rejecting you,
I point it out to you. Make use of it for your salvation!
Gathered together on my lands
is a great concourse of pilgrim penitents.
The older ones have gone on before already,
the younger are still resting in the valley.
Trifling though their transgressions be,
their hearts will give them no rest;
to still the devout distress of repentance
they are marching towards Rome for the feast of grace.

LANDGRAVE. SINGERS. KNIGHTS
You must go along with them on pilgrimage
to the city of clemency and grace,
in the dust there to fall prostrate
and atone for your sin!
Before him who pronounces the sentence
of God, cast yourself down;
but nevermore return,
if you do not receive his blessing! Though our anger has been forced to soften,
because an angel checked it,
this sword will despatch you,
if you linger in sin and disgrace!

ELISABETH
Let him journey to thee,
Thou God of clemency and grace!
Forgive him, who has fallen so low,

the guilt of his sin!
For him only will I pray,
may my life be prayer;
grant that he may see Thy light,
before he is lost in night!
In joyful trepidation,
let a sacrifice be dedicated to Thee!
Take, oh, take my life:
I no longer call it mine!

... And so on.

If you want to check it with the German, or read on, here's the libretto with English and German:

http://www.murashev.com/opera/Tannh%C3%A4user_libretto_English_German