New-York tribune., 1909-08-22

There are texts in the predatory excerpt printed
above FOR discussion Of ''TanuhHuser' from al
the points Of view which might make discussion
of wagners opera interesting and profitable There
IS no doubt in my mind that Il is the poet
composers noilest tragedy and, from a literary
point OF view, his artistic. II is laid on
such a broad. simple and symmetrical plan that
its dramatic contents he forth IN few
paragraphs and we easily forego a detailed
description ~ its scenes. A kuightly minstrel who
has taken part I'm one of the tournaments Of song
which tradition says used Doe held the court
of the Laudgraye Of ThuruEia in the early. part
OF the thirteenth century has. by his song and
bearing. the heart ~ Eliz beth. niece Of the
Isandgravc. Tumindful % his great good fortune
ne has found his way To the court held 10y the
Goddess OF Love within the hollow Of the H0rseel-
berg which lies across the valley and against
the WartburR. Dame Venus herself becomes en-
amoured Of the knight who calls himself Tam
hauser and for year and day he remains at
her side and I'm her arms. At length. mind and
senses surfeited, longing sezes him for the world
which he has abandoned. FOR the refreshing sights
and sounds Of earth and even for its pains Dame
Venus seeks 90 detain him, but he is resolute TO
teAvs her and her realm. Like a true knight
however. he promises 10 sing her praises wherever
he may go. but when she offers welcome him
Sgain IL he should weary and sicken Of the world
and seek redemption from its hypocrisies he re-
plies that for him redemption rests only in the
Virgin Mary. The Invocation breaks the bonds
OF enchsntment which have held him. The scenes
OF alluremeut which have SO long surrounded him
melt away, sud he finds himself IN an attitude of
prayer in blooming valley below the Wartburg
il Is spring, and shepherd lad. seated on a rock
trolls lay 10 springs goddess troop OF nil
sriIns passing 10y on their way Rome suggest
by their cantcle the need Of absoIution from the
burden OF sin which rests upon him. but before
he can Join them the Landgraye and a hunting
party come upon him. lie is recognized by his
ersiwhile companions in song and consents TO
return 10 the castle on being told by one OF the
minstrels Wolfram Eschcnbach that his song
had YanGuished not only them but the heart OF tbe
sanity Elizabeth as well
In the Martburg Tanuhauser meets r,,a ,nstaa,,
whose heart he has just after she has apostro-
phized the walls which had echoed his voice and
IRON nm she learns the meaning of the strange
emotion which fills her in his presence Again
minstrels gather before a company OF great noLles
for contest IN the Han OF Song. Love is 10 be
the theme. and the hand OF Elizabeth The reward
OF the victor. Spiritual love is hymued by Tam
hausers companions. Wolfram Won Escbeu oac,
hkens II 10 pure fountain from which only high
and sacred feelings fow. Tannhauser o,,-s-
lions the right OF those who have not feIt The mas
son as be has felt il 10 define the nature Of love
Goaded by the taunts and threats Of rude Biterolf
he bursts forth IN Il praise Of Venus The assem-,
bly, is In ccmmoton- Swords are drawn sacrilege
must be punished. Death cOnfronts the tr,rjo,,sx
daring minstrel. But she whose heart has tsen
nortally pierced by HIS words interposes In savs
him She has been stricken but what is thai 70
his danger Of everlasting damuatiOn? Would they
rob his soul OF Its eternal welfare? The knight in
different 70 score OF swords, is crushed by such
unsefsh devotion and humby accepts the Land
graves clemency which spares his that he may
,oin younger band OF pilgrims seek abso!ution
~ Rome He goes 20 the Holy City. mortifying his
flesh at every STEP and humbles himself in self
Sbssernent ana accusation before the Pope; but
only 20 hesr from the hard lips Of the Keeper OF
the Keys that for such sin his there is as little
hope OF celiyerance for the rebuilding OF the
papsl s,2r.
The elder pilgrims return IN the fall OF the year
and Elizabeth eagerly seeks among them for the
face OF the knight whose soul and body she had
tried 20 cave. He is not among them Gently she
puts aside The proffered help OF Wolfram, whose
vnsefSh love is with her climbs the hin 10 the
castle and dies. Famished and footsore Tam
ksussr s.0egers after the band Of pilgrims who have
Ysturnec thesr homes with sins forgiven His
greeting OF Wolfram is harsh. but the good min
strel's sympathy constra;ns him tell the story
os HE vain pilgrimage. salvation forfeited. naught
the arms OF Venus. Again he her grotto
streaming with roseate light and hears her lluring
voice lie r7sshes forward toward the scene OF en-
uasn,Yfen; but Wolfram utters again the OF
~ vhe - now pleading for him before the .udX-