Wagner: Lohengrin

Richard [Classical] Wagner (Composer), Eugen Jochum (Conductor), Bayreuth Festival Orchestra (Orchestra), Chor und Orchester der Bayreuther Festspiele (Orchestra), Astrid Varnay (Performer), Birgit Nilsson (Performer), Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (Performer), Gene Tobin (Performer), Gerhard Stolze (Performer), Hermann Uhde (Performer), Theo Adam (Performer), Toni Blankenheim (Performer), Wolfgang Windgassen (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Astrid Varnay, Birgit Nilsson, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Gene Tobin, Gerhard Stolze, et al.
• Orchestra: Bayreuth Festival Orchestra, Chor und Orchester der Bayreuther Festspiele
• Conductor: Eugen Jochum
• Composer: Richard [Classical] Wagner
• Audio CD (February 17, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 4
• Label: Opera D'oro
• ASIN: B000005ZZW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #292,286 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #21 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Nilsson, Birgit

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best-sung and well-acted versions available, September 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Wagner: Lohengrin (Audio CD)

The cast of this Lohengrin is superb. Windgassen presents a genuinely moving portrayal of Lohengrin, especially in the monologue. In her debut season at Bayreuth, Nilsson offers a beautifully sung and well-characterized Elsa. Her silvery tone is perfect for the naive and inexperienced young woman. Varnay is an unparalleled Ortrud. Her frightening intensity makes other interpreters of this role pale by comparison. The climax of this recording is Act II, with Varnay's harrowing duets with her well-matched Telramund (Uhde) and Nilsson. Just listen to the way Varnay spits out the word "Gott." It will send shivers up your spine. She was a magnificent singing actress, and her performance is one factor that makes this recording such a gem.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exciting and committed Lohengrin, August 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Wagner: Lohengrin (Audio CD)

Eugen Jochum leads an incredibly dynamic and powerful Lohengrin recorded live at Bayreuth in 1954. The entire cast is strong: Windgassen is good in the title role, and Birgit Nilsson is great as Elsa. However, I actually find the other "couple" in this opera, Friedrich and Ortrud (portrayed by Hermann Uhde and Astrid Varnay), to be even better. Their machinations are gripping and Varnay really sings the pants off her role. They make Act II one of the most enjoyable opera experiences I've heard on disc. In a limited role, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau is perfectly cast as The Herald. The orchestral playing is classic Jochum, rugged and never dragging. Considering its age, the recording quality is really quite good. Highly recommended.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-have!, July 19, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Wagner: Lohengrin (Audio CD)

I cannot say enough about this recording, so in order to not write on and on I will be as breif as possible. The cast is excellent!!! Just amazing! It is great to see the torch being passed from Varnay to Nillson! Act Two is a non-stop tour-de-force. Anyone who refers to Lohengrin as "Slow-and-grim," will be eating crow after listening to this performance. Varnay is THE Ortrud in my opinion, only challanged by Leonie Rysanek in the latter half of her career. Varnay's gargantuan voice personifies the blood-thirsty presence of Orturd, and the curse is simply amazing.