Tannhauser is one of Wagner's richest and most elaborate musical achievements. Here the composer's inexhaustible genius for composition merges with brilliant orchestration to achieve a masterpiece of melodic invention. Since the opera's premiere at Dresden in 1845, generation of listeners have delighted in such inspired selections as the "Pilgrim's Chorus," "Evening Star," "Shepherd's Song," "Bacchanal Music," "Entry of the Guests," "Elizabeth's Prayer," and other favorites. This edition reproduces the full orchestral and vocal score in a clear, modern engraving with large, legible notation for easy reading and study. The score is the original 1845 version as slightly amended by Wagner in 1847, commonly known as the Second Dresden version. This is considered the standard version and the one usually performed today. Not usually performed today but included as a special feature of this volume is the ballet music for the first act, written by Wagner for the infamous Paris production of 1861. A new English translation of the original German front matter further enhances the value and completeness of this volume. Music lovers, admirers of Wagner, and opera enthusiasts will welcome this inexpensive, full-score edition of Tannhauser — a glorious masterpiece of vocal and instrumental writing and the quintessence of Wagner's romantic thought and expression.