Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1913-06-13
TAuNHAUSER

was read at the open meeting of
the Draper Self Culture Club held
at the Presbyterian Church re-
cenly. 1t was crowded out at the
time and is published on account
of its intrinsic merit. We are sure
independent readers will apprec-
late the article.
The overture to Taunhauser is
one of the most popular works of
Its kind in the concert room, it is
indeed a complete poem of SYM
phony and is regarded ny laymen
and musicians alike as one of
Wagners master achievements.
This opera in 8 acts with text
and music by Richard Wagner was
first presented at the Royal opera,
Dresden, Oct. 20. 1916.
This Opera portrays the struggle
between good and evil, virtue and
vice. On the n hand are the SOL
emn religious strains of the Pill
grims chorus, on the other the Sc
ductive choruses of sirens and the
wild shouts of revelery.
The religious motive appears first
when Wagner tells US of a minstrel
named ~Taunhauser. who by his
charming personality and beautiful
voice has received as the high prize
at The annual singers contest Of
the V%artburE, the hand of Princess
Elizabeth, niece of the Laudgrave.
Here the religious element is
gradually submerged in the rising
of tide sensual sounds.
4 beautiful goddess-named
Venus dwells in a cavern in the
Mountain Venusburg. Her abode
is near the haunts of men so she
can easily lure them into slavery.
Among her victims is Taunhauser.
We are offered in the opera a
glimpse of the outer fairness OF
this sensual monarchy as we behold
the focm of Venus reclining on q
couch with raunhauser beside her
nymphs sang to and fro to sensual
music and by a lake are seen bath
ing sirens in the sunlight.
Venus is not merely a beautiful
woman but represents a power an
tagonistic to christianity while the
moral idea which ahsorbs Tauu-
hauser as it is does those other
dramas of Wagner's which are
based on mythical tales, is that
salvation comes to humanity
through the love of woman and
through her glory in self-sacrifice.
Amid such seductive scenes this
erring minstrel has spent many
months but grows tired of this
tremptress' allurements and longs
for his own world again.
He recalls the fairest and gent
lest of maidens, his Elizabeth who
once thrilled to his song in the
musical tournaments.
Venus finds that she has lost her
power over Taunhauser and argues
with him impassionately but a man
heart speaks conclusively-.
Alas tbs but the god superal
Find JOY and bliss in love eternal,
My heart longs not alone for
pleasure
OF grief too, it must have its
measure.
The alluring goddess tells her
guest that he has remained toe
long with her to hope for salvation
but he continues on his way down
the valley near the castle of Wart.
burg-he listens to a hymn sung
by the pious pilgrims on their way
to Rome and sinks to his knees be.
fore the shrine asking forgiveness
when he is discovered by "a hunting
party which includes the Land.
grave ard the minstrel and OLD com
rade Wolfram Won Esrhinbach who
tells Taunhauser Of the sorrowins
Elizabeth and urges him to return
to her.
Elizabeth learns of her lover
return and she goes to the hall o.
minstrels to greet him. He, full
of o falls at her feet but sh,
tells him that as a singer he mas