Advertisement: Upcoming NJC Music Programme Tannhauser Production

This was found on the website of the newspaper, The Metru Nui Times, at http://www.themetrunuitimes.com/. It was formerly known as the Mata Nui Times by readers and observers. The website has a section where upcoming art and music events are displayed for the public's knowledge. In playing the widely acknowledeged role of being Makuta Teridax's propaganda arm, it constantly touts these advertisements as 'benefits sent by the Beloved Leader for the Greater Good'.

As follows:


'TANNHAUSER PRODUCTION NOW ON DVD!

Opera lovers can now purchase their own copy of the NJC Music Programme's production of Wagner's opera, Tannhauser, at any good music store in Metru Nui! Widely acclaimed by music critics universe-wide, this production is bound to amaze and delight at every turn. Its contains various post-modernistic techniques to convey the Programme's own interpretation of the Great Wagnerian Classic. Conducted by the acclaimed General Kiakas, this opera production is a must-see for all opera lovers!

Tannhauser:

Roles of the Opera:

(Heinrich) Tannhauser
A musician and a member of the Scholotoire: Dominic


Elisabeth
The Pianifex's niece: Shou Jin


Wolfram von Eschenbach
A musician, Tannhauser's best mate and a member of the Scholotoire: Shou Yu


Herrmann
Pianifex of the Scholotoire and Elisabeth's uncle: Andrew


Walther von der Vogelweide
A musician and member of the Scholotoire: Chester


Biterolf
A musician and member of the Scholotoire: Liang Jie


A young shepherd girl: Julienne


Pilgrims
Penitents hoping to seek redemption:

Kang Ming

Dennis
Wei Ye
Ying Xuan
Josephine
Yi Jing

Ladies of the Scholotoire
Talented musicians:

Xiang Yi
Gayle
Erin
Liu Min
Lichen
Audrey
Deirdre
Kelly
And:
Rachel, Christina and Irene as guest stars.

Three Charites:
Audrina
Esther
Vivian

With Cleon Tan as Venus,

Master of the Venusberg as well as a Music Professor.

Production Director: Phoon Yu

Played by the Metru Nui Philharmonic conducted by General Kiakas

Sypnosis of the Opera (in 3 Acts):

ACT 1:
Place: The Venusberg

Following the solo ballet, Tannhauser, a willing captive of Venus, realizes that despite the pleasures that Venus can offer, he is already tired of these and wishes to return to the mortal world. Venus is greatly displeased despite his praise and passionate pleas for release and condemns him for his fickle-mindedness, saying that one day; he will ask to return to the Venusberg. He tries to charm him again, but Tannhauser invokes the name of General Kiakas as his ‘salvation’. These words release him from Venus’s hold and send him back to the real world, where he lies motionless in the mud. It is springtime; a shepherd girl sings an ode to Spring and a group of pilgrims passes him by. He is eventually found by the Pianifex and his companions, Wolfram, Walther and Biterolf. The group tries to persuade Tannhauser to go back with them, but he refuses. Wolfram then points out that his love song (previously he had fled because he was bested in a singing competition) has won him the heart of Elisabeth, the Pianifex’s niece, and Tannhauser then joyfully agrees to go back with them.

ACT 2:
Place: The Music Room of the Scholotoire.

Elisabeth has been living retired from the world since Tannhauser’s departure. When she hears that he is back, she joyfully agrees to be present at a contest of song. Wolfram then leads Tannhauser to her, where they have a little reunion. The guests then arrive for the singing competition, received by the Pianifex and Elisabeth. Wolfram starts first, saying that love is like a pure stream, which should never be troubled. Tannhauser hotly replies that love should be in the pleasure of the senses, despite everyone supporting Wolfram. The other singers sing along the lines of Wolfram, and Tannhauser replies separately to them, before, in a fit of passion, he sings a love song praising Venus and says the infamous line, that if anyone is to discover true love, he is to “make haste, make haste, to the Venusberg!”

The congregation reacts in horror, the Ladies leave and the remaining members set upon Tannhauser, with Biterolf being the biggest denouncer, until Elisabeth defends Tannhauser and says that he should be given a shot at redemption. The others are doubtful, but since Tannhauser has expressed his penitence, the Pianifex agrees, expelling Tannhauser on pain of death from the Scholotoire grounds until the President of the Student Council has granted him salvation.

ACT 3:
Place: Elysium Fields

An autumn scene. Elisabeth has been praying for Tannhauser that he might seek redemption, with Wolfram observing. The Pilgrims return redeemed, and Elisabeth searches for Tannhauser among them, but in vain. She then decides to return back to the Scholotoire. Wolfram stays on in the field, before spotting another pilgrim in torn garments. When he goes to investigate, he is shocked to discover that it is Tannhauser, and reminds the latter that he is not to be near the Scholotoire on pain of death. He then asks Tannhauser about his story, who first refuses to reply, then decides to tell it. It turns out that Tannhauser, in his penitence, decides to carry out extra acts of penance, more so than a regular pilgrim. When he reaches Rome, he meets the President, hoping to get forgiveness. However, the President lambasts him and says that, “For indulging in the pleasures of the Venusberg, you shall be perpetually damned in the fires of hell” as surely as the President’s staff “cannot sprout leaves.” Tannhauser curses the forgiven pilgrims and, in despair, calls on Venus to take him back. Wolfram quails in terror, and Venus appears, to Tannhauser’s delight. He agrees to forgive Tannhauser for his infidelity and welcomes him back. Wolfram then notices a bier bearing Elisabeth’s corpse and calls out the name of Elisabeth, permanently breaking Venus’s hold over Tannhauser. Tannhauser rushes to the corpse, collapsing with the words, “Holy Elisabeth, pray for me.” A young pilgrim enters ahead of his fellows and says that the President’s staff has sprouted leaves, a sign that Tannhauser has finally gotten divine redemption.

Praise for Tannhauser by the NJC Music Programme:
"Good Stuff!"--Makuta Teridax

"All for praise!"--The Metru Nui Times

"A great production. Surely no opera lover can miss this as much as no one can miss the Great Journey."--The High Charity Times

"One that rivals the Greater Good in distinction."--The T'au Chronicle

"Bring it on!"--The Witch King of Angmar, Minas Morgul (Minas Ithil)

"One of the greatest production of our times"--Gresh, Bara Magna

"Not to be missed. If geniuses that small can produce such a masterpiece, it behooves us to 'make haste, make haste' to watch this concert to pay tribute!"--Thel'Vadam (The Arbiter), Sangheilios

"Just as knowledge begets curiosity and vice versa, so I feel that in watching this, we will not only learn more from so young ones, but also thirst for more such productions."--Hieronymous Tzeentch, Eye of Terror

Next up: Elektra by the people who brought you Tannhauser! The NJC Music Programme? Nah! It is the Metru Nui Dance and Drama Company!