Wagner: Lohengrin [Enhanced]

Richard [Classical] Wagner (Composer), Wolfgang Sawallisch (Conductor), Bayreuth Festival Orchestra (Orchestra), Anja Silja (Performer), Astrid Varnay (Performer), Franz Crass (Performer), Gerhard Stolze (Performer), Jess Thomas (Performer), Klaus Kirchner (Performer), Niels Moller (Performer), Ramón Vinay (Performer), Tom Krause (Performer), Zoltan Kelemen (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Anja Silja, Astrid Varnay, Franz Crass, Gerhard Stolze, Jess Thomas, et al.
• Orchestra: Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
• Conductor: Wolfgang Sawallisch
• Composer: Richard [Classical] Wagner
• Audio CD (January 14, 2003)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00006LENQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #299,463 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elsa is a Valley Girl -- who knew?, February 18, 2006

By 

Howard G Brown "brownswan" (Port St. Lucie, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

This is not my primary LOHENGRIN, but this certainly is a gorgeous performance/recording of this masterpiece. Yes, you hear input from the audience, and some bumping and thumping on stage, but you get the advantages a live performance has to offer -- the energy, the edge-of-the-seat excitement that floods the house. And I really enjoy the wide-eyed girlishness of Anja Silja's Elsa; she still a virgin -- just! -- but more of this world than the next. At least that's what I get from the sound of her voice. (I really like her in Berg's LULU as well).

The rest of the cast is loaded with the experience and credentials needed to make this one of the better LOHENGRIN sets, in my opinion. Actually, the presence of Astrid Varney as Ortrud was enough for me to chance this recording. Yes, the date is late in her career, but this is Varnay! And hearing Ramon Vinay return to his original baritone range is yet another reason to grab this set. Finally, I can't decide if I prefer Jess Thomas more here or in the Kempe recording; I've decided not to decide.

Sawallisch leads the whole affair with a sure hand; the sound is rich and full. This is romantic opera at its best. I wouldn't want to be without the classic Kempe set or two others from Bayreuth, conducted by Keilberth and Jochum, though neither can match this Bayreuth issue for sheer opulence.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Villains Steal the Show, April 23, 2008

By 

Steven Muni "Foothills Bear" (Sutter Creek, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wagner: Lohengrin (Audio CD)

My favorite characters in Lohengrin have always been Ortrud and Telramund. Like the bad guys often do, they have the best lines and are much more interesting than the rather sappy Lohengrin and Elsa. And Chilean bari-tenor, (back to being a baritone here) Ramon Vinay and Astrid Varnay practically steal the show of this live 1962 Bayreuth recording.

Vinay had a terrific intensity to his singing, which made him one of the greatest Otellos of all time as well as an amazing Tristan. And Varnay had no equal as a Wagnerian singing actress. Together they just tear up the stage as opera's bad couple. (They also make an incredible Tristan and Isolde in another Bayreuth live recording.)

Jess Thomas was in young, supple and glorious voice here, before a decade of heldentenor singing took its toll. He gives Lohengrin a freshness and appealing voice that is often missing on other recordings. And Anja Silja is likewise in early and splendid voice and makes Elsa as credible as is possible to be.

Wolfgang Sawallisch keeps the orchestra moving at a reasonable tempo without sacrificing richness of tone. And the sound isn't bad, considering this is a live recording. Although there's no libretto unless you download it, at the price it can't be beat. In fact, this is the Lohengrin that I listen to most frequently.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A spectacular live Lohengrin, May 6, 2010

By 

Spartro1 "Spartro1" - See all my reviews

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

Live performances are often things that can be very hit and miss. In this case, Wolfgang Sawallisch's 1962 performance of Lohengrin from the Bayreuth Festival is definitely a hit. I got this performance as part of the Wagner: Great Operas from The Bayreuth Festival box, which I just can't say enough good things about. Anyway, this is a performance not to be missed.

Firstly, the musicians are great. Anja Silja was all of 22 years old when she made this recording, but she sounds incredible. She is also extremely good at conveying a wide range of emotions, which is a testament to her skills as an actress. James King is an incredible, otherworldly Lohengrin. He is even more alive here than in the Kempe recording. Astrid Varnay and Ramon Vinay however absolutely steal the show in this set. Varnay is the embodiment of evil as Ortrud, and she helps to make the second act absolutely delightful. Ramon Vinay is a not-so-submissive Telramund, and he sings very well. Franz Crass is a fine King Heinrich, and the Bayreuth Chorus is in find sound here, making the whole opera a veritable sound-feast. The orchestra is also very good, and the brass in particular shine.

Sound quality is never a problem here. The Bayreuth acoustic is captured very well and it all sounds very natural. Of course, there are some audience noises but never is it great enough to take away from the experience.

I would recommend this recording to those interested in a good live performance in a heartbeat. Although the conditions are not as secure such as in a studio version, this recording has a crackle of excitement that is necessary for a good performance of Wagner.

Bravi tutti!