Venus

1 (Wagner: Tannhäuser). Sop. (mez. in later Paris vers.). The goddess who lures Tannhäuser to the grotto in her mountain (the Venusberg), where he enjoys the perpetual orgy—for a short while. When he has had enough and wants to return to his normal human life, whatever its drawbacks, Venus is furious and warns him that one day he will return and beg to be taken back. Created (1845) by Wilhelmine Schröder‐Devrient.

2 (Vénus) (Ligeti: Le Grand Macabre). Sop. Asked by Mescalina to send her a satisfactory lover, she chooses Nekrotzar. Created (1978) by Monika Lavén.