This is the performance of 17 December 1983, the last of four and the only one featuring Anne Evans as a last minute replacement for Marita Napier, not that one could tell.Her singing has great serenity and beauty, not to mention warmth and the necessary vehemence for her confrontation with Rysanek's vivid Ortrud. It's good to have a German language performance of the title role from Alberto Remedios's outstandingly sincere portrayal sung with finesse, power and musicality. Rysanek's malevolent, driven Ortud finds her in vivid and rivetting form, if slightly less confident voice than her San Francisco role debut a couple of years earlier. Donald McIntyre is, rightly, I think, rather overpowered by his single-minded spouse. He is after all, one of opera's great losers, from the constantly hard time he gets from his wife to his defeat and eventual death at the hand of Lohengrin. Furst's perversely slow tempo for their Act 2 scene somewhat compromises Rysanek and McIntyre's efforts, and a sudden speeding up at the end of the opera, as if he has just realised that if he doesn't get a move-on the pubs will be shut, makes for a bit of a scramble.Nonetheless, this is a fascinating and highly enjoyable performance, in excellent stereo, that will satisfy both Wagner lovers and the singers' fans. One wonders why it took almost thirty years for a recording to come to light, but "Sei gegrüsst, du gottgesandter Mann!"

I could be wrong, but this sounds like it was a concert performance. There is very little indication of stage movement and Rysanek doesn't let out her blood-curdling scream at the end when Ortrud is defeated (I was a little disappointed to be honest.)All the soloists sing extremely well. Remedios may be slightly past his prime, but still sings the title role with confidence and a ringing top. Evans is a lovely Elsa, singing with color and assertiveness - no wilting violet she! Rysanek is a formidable opponent. Her laugh after "Gott?!?" in her scene with Telramund is frightening. The voice is in good shape too. McIntyre is an excellent antagonist and Halem and Fondary are superb in their roles. The chorus sings very strongly with an especially strong tenor section. Furst leads a well-paced reading, abetted by a solid orchestra. The sound is very good stereo. The audience is understandably enthusiastic. Lohengrin lovers should acquire this as should fans of any of the singers.

This is an excellent performance with a superb cast. The date of performance was November 1983. The young Anne Evans is as good as anyone in this role, Rysanek had just begun her career as Ortrud one year before in San Francisco and she is in great voice and portrays the character with great depth, Telrmund, sung by McIntyre is no matxh for her, his character is a one dimensional being - his honour and not much else, but well sung. the main reason to have this set is to hear Remedios singing the title role in German, Although he sang Wagner in german often, including both Siegfrieds in London and in other houses, none of them were recorded.This deserves to be heard - his performance is superb. The conducting is in very safe hands, Furst was an excellent opera conductor.The sound is decent - an In House recording made most likely for one of the singers and the only reason this performance does not get 5 starsThe only reason for