Wagner’s great battle of the sensual and the spiritual, Tannhäuser returns to The Royal Opera.

This new production by Tim Albery puts Tannhäuser back in the repertory after an absence of more than 20 years and with a fine international cast under Semyon Bychkov.

Johan Botha – one of the most acclaimed Wagner tenors in the world today – sings the lead role of Tannhäuser, the artist struggling to reconcile contrasting aspects of his art.

Two great performers, Michaela Schuster as Venus and Eva-Maria Westbroek as Elisabeth, embody Tannhäuser’s choice: the seductive feeding of the senses or the rich nourishing of the soul.

This production of Tannhäuser combines striking imagery of the two worlds set apart, from the indulgence and abandon of the Venusberg to the privation and sincerity of the Wartburg.

And the music of course is full of wonderful melody and powerful drama – a rich vehicle for the chorus and orchestra of the Royal Opera House.

Tannhäuser is sung in German wit English surtitles.

Learn more about London operas within the West End.