tannhäuser und der sängerkrieg auf wartburg (en: "tannhäuser and the singers' contest at wartburg") is a three-act opera with words and music by richard wagner. it was wagner's fifth opera. he worked on it between 1842 and 1845. it was first performed at the dresden royal opera on 19 october 1845 with wagner conducting. the opera was a success. it became hugely popular in germany.