It shouldn't come as a surprise that Domingo could sing Lohengrin so well this early in his career. At only 27, he had already sung most of the spinto Italian repertoire and emerged all the stronger for it. There are other singers who bring more specificity to this or that moment, but few who sing with such glowing musicianship and passion. Domingo wouldn't return to the role for 16 years after this run. It was so easy to take him for granted.Saunders, a truly remarkable singer who was not interested in a jet set career, is a terrific Elsa, matching Grümmer and Rysanek in intensity and vocal fervor. Hesse is superb as Ortrud, very exciting in her Act 2 curse. I admit to writing her off as a good, if unmemorable, singer. I need to revise that opinion upward. There's a reason she had such a long, successful career; she shows why in this performance. Ohanesian is a fine Telramund and Sotin a King among other Kings. His Heinrich is actually memorable. Krause is luxury casting as the Heerrufer. Kuntsch leads a lyrical, fast-paced performance. I have no problem with his cuts (Lohengrin is too long anyway).The sound, a few glitches already noted by Andy and Mark Lloyd aside, is excellent. The pitch of the tape is also correct (it's a little sharp in the upload on YouTube).

The primary attraction of this set is Placido Domingo's assumption of the vocally challenging title role aged only 27. It's a sensational performance, just the right mix of melliferous golden tone and heroic spinto. It would be hard to find a live recording of Lohengrin with the title role more pleasingly sung. And overall it's an interesting, fairly satisfactory performance of the opera. On the podium, Matthias Kuntzsch keeps things on the move, favouring dramatic pulse and thrust, while not totally neglecting the ethereal, not one boring bar in his hands. Hans Sotin is an appropriately wise King Henry, exuding authority and commanding attention. Arlene Saunders sings beautifully as Elsa, a good match for Domingo. Before falling victim to Ortrud's sorcery, Telramund was a decent and honourable character, and David Ohanesian's interpretation reflects this. As Ortrud, Ruth Hesse uses charm and sweetness to get into Elsa's trusting mind. There is the traditional Act Three stage cut before the re-appearance of the swan, but also cut is a lot of the music at the start of that final scene. In Act Two, the tricky chorus In Frueh'n versammelt is cut. Sadly on CD 2 track 2, there is an audible cut at 6:14 and the recording jumps ahead, missing the final few minutes of Act Two Scene One. About halfway into the Act One Prelude overload distortion (crumbly sound) afflicts the otherwise excellent stereo, and this afflicts louder orchestral and choral passages throughout the recording.

gute Qualität Domingo sehr kantabel, besser als später bei Solti

A historical document. Placido Domingo's debut as Lohengrin. Ruth Hesse's Ortrud is really interesting as well. The other performers are estimable.

Very pleased with this purchase