Picture a silent evening: dusk spreads like a dark cloak over the hills, and the whole valley seems to hold its breath. In this moment of hushed suspense, the singer lifts his eyes to the sky and greets the soft glow of the Evening Star. The star’s gentle light slices through the gloom, offering a calm pathway out of the shadows and easing the fear of the unknown night.
At its heart, this aria is a tender prayer. Wolfram (the character in Wagner’s opera Tannhäuser) asks the star to watch over Elisabeth, the woman he loves, as her pure soul prepares to leave the earthly valley and rise to a higher, angelic realm. It is a blend of melancholy and hope: death is close, yet the promise of peace and spiritual beauty shines brightly. Bryn Terfel’s warm, expressive voice turns this simple plea into a glowing moment of comfort, reminding listeners that even in our darkest hours, a single, steady light can guide us toward love and serenity.