Lohengrin (Covent Garden - new production)

[Ein Heldenleben]

At last, Hugh Canning's review in today's ST

Yes - as it is a rave review ( principally for Nelson's conducting ) I must be psychic as I had neither seen the production nor read the (unwritten ) piece .

[Prommer]

Going on Sunday. Last seen in the theatre as a student in Germany (Nürnberg) in 1970, so long overdue. Reviews are generall positive with minor misgivings. Telegraph headlined Jennifer Davis with "a star is born" and gave five stars. Looking forward to Georg Zeppenfeld who I really enjoyed as Gurnemanz in last year's Bayreuth Parsifal.

Up to you of course, but how can you be Gurnemanz, and not make it to see Lohengrin since 1970?!

[underthecountertenor]

Up to you of course, but how can you be Gurnemanz, and not make it to see Lohengrin since 1970?!

Is Gurnemanz a Parsiphile rather than a Wagnerphile?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Is Gurnemanz a Parsiphile rather than a Wagnerphile?

Yes - I wondered that: but I suppose that Lohengrin would have known one of his dad's pals? ('Tho when Parsifal is supposed to have met his son's mother - Condwiramurs, thank you Wiki! - is one of those things that shouldn't be asked if we don't want Lohengrin to go off in a down-laden huff!)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

('Tho when Parsifal is supposed to have met his son's mother - Condwiramurs, thank you Wiki! - is one of those things that shouldn't be asked if we don't want Lohengrin to go off in a down-laden huff!)

Oh! It seems that Parsifal married and begat before he embarked on his oloricidal activities ... !

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parzival

[gurnemanz]

Up to you of course, but how can you be Gurnemanz, and not make it to see Lohengrin since 1970?!

Over the decades no opportunity arose + kids, mortgage, job - all gone now.

Enjoyed ROH last Sunday. Great orchestral sound and no weak links vocally. I liked Vogt's singing very much, which some didn't. Very moving as he starts off singing with back to audience. Staging didn't convince completely despite some nice touches and new perspectives. I got a bit annoyed when from Row B Amphitheatre we couldn't actually see the swan on top of the column - just the plinth was visible. I assume this image is an important part their overall interpretation. I only knew the swan was there because I'd read the Guardian review which had photo of it. In the interval I accosted - in a very friendly manner - several unsuspecting junior staff members standing around on duty in order to point this out, only to be greeted with bafflement.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

To be broadcast on R3 on 7 July according to Observer review today.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b9141l

[DracoM]

Well, I have deliberately not looked at production pictures etc, and just listened to Act 1 so far..........
Most sound pretty good, band in very fine form, love the pace and drama, BUT got reservations about the Lohengrin. Sounds pretty weedy on air - so far!
And it's more than clear that the expert Martin Handley has alongside is not all that struck by the production. Choosing her words more than carefully!

[DracoM]

Nelsons man of the match for me.

[Cockney Sparrow]

In the house, initially Vogt's voice was a surprise, with some consternation on my part - not the usual heavy duty Wagnerian Tenor. But concerns were allayed- no wobble, secure (no worries that he was going to run out of voice) and up to the part. Generally enjoyed the evening and thought it well done.

[Nevilevelis]

Consistently flat under forte, confirmed by a colleague in the house. Not for me, I'm afraid - too thin. Nelsons is a dear and a first class Wagnerian, but the orchestra was rarely on his beat - a nightmare, especially for the chorus in this production (the set).

[Bert Coules]

Many apologies for this slight (and hopefully momentary) sidetrack but there are several references earlier in the thread to the "general rehearsal" for this and the question as to whether or not it was possible to go to it. Is this something available to the public or is it a benefit of belonging to the Friends of Covent Garden, if that body still exists?

On Lohengrin in particular, I haven't seen it in the theatre since the ENO production in the early (was it?) seventies: a staging which even then was criticised for having no ambitions beyond "simply telling the story" to quote (from memory) one review. It's a little sad to think that such an admirable aim should be deemed inadequate: how welcome it would be today.

[DracoM]

[Nevilevelis]

This production told the story well - the narrative was always clear.

[Bert Coules]

What I found depressing was the implication that telling the story wasn't enough.