Clue: Ancient curse dominating early part of Tannhäuser (for Wagner's character) (5)
Answer: WOTAN
Explanation: Definition: Wagner's character
WO (old form of woe = curse) + TAN – rather vague by Azed's standards for "early part of Tannhäuser". Wotan (a German version of the name Odin) is the king of the gods in Wagner's Ring cycle