Description:

It is rare that a heldentenor will continue to sing the role of Lohengrin while already ensconced in Siegfrieds and Tristans. The Mozartian grace this role calls for is often at odds with the heroic demands Wagner places on his tenors. So it is a true testament to Wolfgang Windgassen’s skill as a technician that he is able to revisit this role while in his late forties. Windgassen manages to scale back his voice to create an ethereal yet masculine swan prince.

Aase Nordmo Løvberg brings a plangent, if somewhat monochromatic, tone to the role of Elsa, managing to convey Elsa’s wide-eyed wonder vividly. Astrid Varnay proves one of the most formidable Ortruds on record—her “Entweihte Götter” is nothing short of hair-raising. Gustav Neidlinger brings all of the artistry that made him such a memorable Alberich to the role of Telramund, though a touch more vocal glamour would have been welcome. Theo Adam’s König Heinrich and Eberhard Wächter’s Heerrufer are the icing on this Wagnerian cake.

Lorin Maazel favors crisp tempos and generally lends a light touch to the proceedings. 

In Mono

OD 11431-3