I'm going to see it in half a month :) I'm completely unfamiliar with it. Can someone recommend a place where I could download at least some parts? What's it about?

I expect a lovely show. I saw The Valkyrie last month, which was absolutely amazing.

whitewolf:
I'm going to see it in half a month

For less than an eighth of what you pay to see Wagner performed live, you can buy an extension cord and beat yourself with it.
Kidding.

Can someone recommend a place where I could download at least some parts?

Kazaa? Your local library might have a video performence of it.

What's it about?

Sex. German dudes yowling about sex. You could also download Rammstein videos.

Tannhauser is a young musician devoted to the Goddess Venus, who decides to leave her enchanted, magical mystical-type grove to live as a normal man. He falls in love with some really boring Christian chick, goes to live with her at some King's court, but during a singing contest - dedicated to the boring Christian chick - he realizes that he still loves Venus, sings a hymn to Venus, and pisses the hell out of everyone.
So Tannhauser is forced to go to Rome to ask the Pope's forgiveness, the boring Christian chick dies (because that's what women in operas do, unless they're Venus), the Pope tells Tannhauser that he may only be forgiven when his (the Pope's) staff grows flowers. Tannhauser hears that the boring chick is dead, forgets all about Venus, dies, and the Pope's staff grows flowers.

Oh, I remember the story now. Thanks. I have it in a book with Beardsley's illustrations. Yeh it's a lame plot.

Well, the show will be exciting because there will definitely be someone famous, the production will look pretty, and I expect to like Wagner more or less. The tickets were cheap: 1. family circle (still a very good spot) 2. student discounts 3. mom bought 'em. How it looks won't be too important because I'll watch it with my eyes closed for the most part.

Try Soulseek or DC++. Both have thriving classical communities.

I think the point about the Christian chick is... well, demonstrated in the opera. Venus versus Christ. Hmm.

It's sex versus spiritual love. And yes, it can be understood on a religious level.

No, it's about a man who prefers some Christian dipshit to the Goddess of Love herself, even though the Christian chick won't put out and Venus will.
There's a reason Wagner shouldn't be heard past the intros.

Venus versus Christ. Hmm.

I preferred the sequel:
Venus vs. Mothra