Overture to "Tannhäuser" by Richard Wagner ("Tannhäuser und der Sängerkrieg auf Wartburg").

OK, boys and girls, back to the 40s (the 1840s, that is): The famous overture to this 1845 Wagnerian grand opera in three acts was written last, as it includes its most prominent musical themes. Based on combined German history and folklore. The title of the opera and its protagonist's name translate from the Middle High German as "house of the fir trees" or "forest-dweller". A tale of a mythological Minnesänger and poet, as well as of the Wartburg Song Contest. It highlights the struggle between sacred and profane love and, ultimately, redemption. The overture is often performed as a separate concert piece, first played as such by the Leipzig Orchestra in 1846 under the baton of Felix Mendelssohn. Wagner was so impassioned by the composition that, towards the end, he became physically ill. Opera? Answer: Overture to "Tannhäuser" by Richard Wagner ("Tannhäuser und der Sängerkrieg auf Wartburg"). Fond memories of my dear childhood friend, may he rest in peace, Dr. Alberto "Papa Dios" Rodríguez, who introduced me to this piece, as well as to many others. To this day, I cannot listen to this overture without thinking of Papa. He was especially fond of the horn quartet carrying the Pilgrim's Chorus theme. Unfortunately, we have recently lost four of our dear grade school and high school friends. After the passing of the last one, we were able to hold a very well-attended Zoom meeting during which we proposed a wine toast to all four and had a chance to tell stories about them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-NI4WixVUg&list=RDo-NI4WixVUg&start_radio=1