Search - Richard [Classical] Wagner, Lovro von Matacic, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra & Chorus :: Wagner: Lohengrin

The finest LOHENGRIN....

Boyd D. Cathey | 04/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Very simply this may be the finest LOHNGRIN committed to disc. Lovro von Matacic conducts a performance that is superb in every way. His Lohngrin--Sandor Konya, and his Elisabeth--Elisabeth Grummer, are ideal artists for these roles [Those who heard Konya in performance will remember!]. Bill Youngren in FANFARE called this the "perfect" LOHNGRIN; I concur. Despite the competition--and it is fierce--this is THE LOHENGRIN of one's dreams. No libretto, but don't let that stop you."

The Best Lohengrin Ever

Queen Margo | Arlington | 09/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I thought Rudolph Kempe's Lohengrin with Jess Thomas was the best until I heard this one. Shandor Konya's voice and interpretation are just thrilling. He is tender, heroic, gentle and powerful, whatever he needs to be at the moment -- a true romantic hero. The accompanying cast is also excellent. Lohengrin was never my favorite Wagner, but after this recording it may become. Matacic is at his best and the Bayreuth sound better than some studio recordings I have. Well worth the money spent."

Sandor Konya's Glorious Knight

V. Stasov | 04/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At last count I had 18 Lohengrins - an opera very dear to my heart for many musical and personal reasons. The acclaimed Hungarian tenor Sandor Konya in this performance is the most romantic and gorgeous Lohengrin of the lot. He sings here with an unique Italianate lyricism distinctly different from other tenors who have taken on this role. The Musical Times described his Lohengrin as "one of the high points of post-war Wagner interpretation."



His recording with von Matacic is vastly superior to that on the more famous Leinsdorf recording. That later studio version is a disappointment if you've heard this live performance which crackles with feverish intensity and smolders with libidinal romanticism.



The conducting is lush and thrilling - the great Croatian conductor Lovro von Matacic deserves more attention than he receives, and here he is at his most compelling. His conducting has a luxurious expressiveness that accentuates the sensuality and dramatic potency of this mystically voluptuous opera.



Von Matacic builds the dramatic structure to a heart-stopping finale of apocalyptic proportion. When Ortrud belts out "Fahr heim! Fahr heim!" you believe it! This is a frightening moment that many singers can't successfully pull off. The usually abrasive Rita Gorr rises to the occasion and gives us an Ortrud of terrifying intensity. Ernest Blanc is superb as the hen-pecked Friedrich, singing with great beauty and vulnerability. As marvelous an evil couple as you'll find anywhere.



Elisabeth Grummer is her usual perfect self.

I can't recommend this Lohengrin enough. It's absolutely wonderful."