The cast of this 1962 broadcast performance of Lohengrin is nothing short of all-star, captured live on August 3rd rather than assembled from multiple performances like the commercial release. Jess Thomas, at the height of his vocal powers, delivers a refined yet powerful Lohengrin. At just 22, Anja Silja is astonishing as Elsa—bringing purity of tone, radiant top notes, and a natural sense of pacing that belies her age. Astrid Varnay, once a celebrated Elsa herself, takes on Ortrud with striking force, balancing Wagnerian grandeur with dramatic restraint. This role showcases the full extent of her interpretive brilliance, perhaps even more so than her iconic Met debut. Ramón Vinay, transitioning successfully into baritone repertoire, offers a Telramund of rare vocal beauty and dramatic conviction. Rounding out the cast, Tom Krause as the Herald and Franz Crass bring additional polish to an already sumptuous ensemble. This is a truly remarkable document of mid-century Wagnerian performance at its finest.