Camilla about Elisabeth

His relationship with women, of course! Especially with regard to the strong female characters in his operas, who so often have to sacrifice themselves. Just think of the men in Wagner, who are always up to mischief - and then it's up to the women to help them and put things right. I think that's a very interesting aspect. I wonder if that has anything to do with his own life That would certainly be a question at dinner..

CN Tannhäuser's Elisabeth is based on the historical Saint Elisabeth, who lived in the 13th century, was extremely committed to the poor, the weak and the sick and gave her life for those in need. For me, the opera character of Elisabeth shows her strength when, for example, in the mania of Act 2, when the death of Tannhäuser is demanded, she puts her foot down and prevents something terrible from happening. But there is also strength in the constancy of her love for Tannhäuser.

Possibly the unconventional. He doesn't do what everyone else is doing. He ignores the rules of how I have to behave. Ultimately, however, it's hard to say exactly. Because what do you love about another person? What is it that connects two people? There is something like being on the same wavelength, which you can sense immediately. But it's impossible to fathom down to the last detail.

Yes, of course. But Tannhäuser ultimately does something that many others might not dare to do - but also wish they could.

Elisabeth senses that she wants more freedom than society allows her. She feels a fire inside her that she always has to suppress. Strong feelings, eroticism, freedom - none of this is allowed in the society in which she lives.