Silverstein - The Sand Will Turn To Glass

However, while Wagner devoted all his strength to the future Paris production of Tannhäuser. He decided to take advantage of the thoroughness of the preparation of the play (a meticulous translation into French was almost complete by that time) and rework the drama score, primarily its first scene (Wagner was initially not satisfied with the part of Venus). The overture was expanded, turned into an introduction, which directly turns into a stage action. The insignificant ballet scene of sirens and nymphs, at the request of the theater directorate, which insisted on introducing the ballet, was brought to a spectacular pantomime with a frantic bacchic dance. The part of Venus was significantly changed and expanded, and the stage of the competition of singers, on the contrary, was reduced, which gave it more dynamism.