With

almost piteous anxiety and grief Elizabeth scans them closely as they go by, to see if Tannhäuser be among them, and when the last one has pa ed and she realizes that he has not returned, she sinks again upon her knees before the crucifix and sings the prayer, "Almighty Virgin, hear my sorrow," music in which there is most beautifully combined the expre ion of poignant grief with trust in the will of the Almighty. As she rises and turns toward the castle, Wolfram , by his gesture, seems to ask her if he cannot accompany her, but she declines his offer and slowly goes her way up the mountain. Meanwhile night has fallen upon the scene and the evening star glows softly above the castle. It is then that Wolfram , accompanying himself on his lyre, intones the wondrously tender and beautiful "Song to the Evening Star," confe ing therein his love for the saintly Elizabeth . IMG:872270115144378713_music116.png:Music [ Listen ] Then Tannhäuser , dejected, footsore, and weary, appears, and in broken accents asks Wolfram to show him the way back to the Venusberg. Wolfram bids him stay his steps and persuades him to tell him the story of his pilgrimage. In fierce, dramatic accents, Tannhäuser relates all that he has suffered on his way to Rome and the terrible judgment pronounced upon him by the Pope. This is a highly impre ive episode, clearly foreshadowing Wagner's dramatic use of musical recitative in his later music-dramas. Only a singer of the highest rank can do justice to it. Tannhäuser proclaims that, having lost all chance of salvation, he will once more give himself up to the delights of the Venusberg. A roseate light illumines the rece es of the mountain and the unholy company of the Venusberg again is seen, Venus stretching out her arms for Tannhäuser , to welcome him. But at last, when Tannhäuser seems unable to resist Venus' enticing voice any longer, Wolfram conjures him by the memory of the sainted Elizabeth . Then Venus knows that all is lost. The light dies away and the magic charms of the Venusberg disappear. Amid tolling of bells and mournful voices a funeral proce ion comes down the mountain. Recognizing the features of Elizabeth , the dying Tannhäuser falls upon her corpse. The younger pilgrims arrive with the staff, which has again put forth leaves, and amid the hallelujahs of the pilgrims the opera closes. Besides the character of Elizabeth that of Wolfram stands out for its tender, manly beauty. In love with Elizabeth , he is yet the means of bringing back her lover to her, and in the end saves that lover from perdition, so that they may be united in death.