Wagner: Tannhäuser [in English] Robertson (1960) Aitken, Pierce, Lawrenson, Collier, Clarkson 

James Robertson, Sadler's Wells Opera Orchestra
(Recorded 29th January/5th February, 1960, Sadler's Wells Theatre)
Landgrave Hermann - Stanley Clarkson
Tannhäuser - William Aitken
Wolfram von Eschenbach - John Lawrenson
Walther von der Vogelweide - Alberto Remedios
Biterolf - Donald McIntyre
Heinrich der Schreiber - Tom Swift
Reinmar von Zweter - Leon Greene
Elisabeth - Judith Pierce
Venus - Marie Collier
Young Shepherd - Iris Kells
The production was by Anthony Besch. The stage designs and costumes were by Motley. The English translation was by Ernest Newman. William Aitken was a last-minute replacement for Ronald Dowd.
Newman's translation can be read here:
pastebin.com/a8kgfTMQ
I have attempted to transcribe the libretto as it was sung in this performance, but it does deviate in a few places, particularly in the "Rome Narration".
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Shortly after this performance, the company began its spring tour. The "Coventry Evening Telegraph" reviewed a performance at the Stratford Theatre on the 9th February:
"How long Tannhäuser is supposed to have tarried in the Venusberg I do not know. The programme note at Stratford last night said the revels were everlasting. They struck me as somewhat joyless, what with the prosaic set, the attenuated ballet and a rich-voiced but rather vengeful Venus (Marie Collier).
Transported to earth, Tannhäuser eventually found himself in a simple but pleasant hall of song, with an Elisabeth (Judith Pierce) who was heart and soul in the part. She managed a very fine voice well except for a slight tremolo; and she acted like a real actress.
Equally convincing was John Lawrenson as Wolfram. He made this too-self-denying-to-be-true character credible. It is a long time since I have heard Wagnerian lines delivered so easily, or with a voice so pleasing and an enunciation so nearly perfect.
William Aitken who took the name part has a strong voice and is able to ride with the Wagnerian orchestra scoring, but he made Tannhäuser a paste-board figure. Neither by facial expression nor gesture did he convey the emotion of the part.
I had heard that the current Sadler's Wells production of "Tannhäuser" was a slow-moving affair. It certainly was brisk last night under James Robertson-a little too brisk in one or two places for my liking. But I have nothing but praise for the musical shaping of the work, the playing of the orchestra and the overall impression. This may be a small-scale production but it is true Wagner."
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0:00:00 - Overture
0:14:40 - Act 1: "Come to these bowers"
0:19:22 - Act 1: "Beloved, say, where strays thy thought?"
0:23:16 - Act 1: "Praised be thy love, the grace to thee belonging!"
0:26:05 - Act 1: "Beloved, come! See yonder bower"
0:30:58 - Act 1: "Then go, thou serpent heart! Away!"
0:34:36 - Act 1: "Dame Holda fair from the hill drew near"
0:37:01 - Act 1: "To Thee I come, my Saviour dear"
0:42:40 - Act 1: "Who kneeleth there in fervent supplication?"
0:47:14 - Act 1: "When for the prize in song we all contended"
0:52:33 - Act 2: "Dear Hall of Song, I give thee greeting"
0:57:22 - Act 2: "Behold her; speak thou with her undisturbed!"
1:01:13 - Act 2: "Unto our minstrels' singing"
1:04:21 - Act 2: "The god of love be praised forever!"
1:07:02 - Act 2: "Here in this hall do I behold thee"
1:10:49 - Act 2: "Hail, noble hall, where ev'ry heart rejoices"
1:16:58 - Act 2: "Within this noble hall, in friendly contest"
1:23:00 - Act 2: "Gazing around on this august assembly"
1:29:05 - Act 2: "We call thee forth to mortal combat!"
1:33:12 - Act 2: "Ha! The accurs'd one! Come away!"
1:39:22 - Act 2: "Woe! Woe! How have I sinned!"
1:44:07 - Act 2: "A crime deep and disgraceful we have witnessed"
1:46:28 - Act 2: "A goodly band of pious pilgrims"
1:50:50 - Act 3: Prelude
1:57:53 - Act 3: "Here deep in prayer I knew that I should find her"
2:00:31 - Act 3: "With gladsome heart my dear home do I see"
2:04:43 - Act 3: "Almighty virgin, hear my pleading!"
2:13:15 - Act 3: "Like death's dark shadow ev'ning is descending"
2:17:44 - Act 3: "The sound of harp I heard"
2:21:36 - Act 3: "Now mark, Wolfram! Now mark!"
2:30:05 - Act 3: "It drove me forth to where in fancies blest"
2:32:35 - Act 3: "Thou'rt welcome, false inconstant man!"
2:36:55 - Act 3: "Hail! Hail! The Lord hath a marvel wrought!"
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"Tannhäuser" is an opera in three acts by Richard Wagner, with a German libretto by the composer. The libretto is based on two medieval legends, that of the Minnesinger Tannhäuser, and that of the Wartburg Song Contest. It was first performed at the Royal Court Theatre in Dresden on 19th October, 1845, with the composer conducting. A substantially revised version was first performed at the Salle Le Peletier in Paris on 13th March, 1861.

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