"I got this Lohengrin from the local library, and I tried to get a taste of what I was in for by looking it up here on Amazon.com. But to my dismay there were no reviews. And later, to even greater dismay on my part, I found that there is no reason for such a lack of reviews! For this is a solid Lohengrin. While Peter Hofmann is not the most vocally resplendent Lohengrin (he isn't a Konya or a Domingo), he turns is a good performance, and Karen Armstrong is a passionate Elsa who plays the part admirably. The rest of the cast is strong on the whole. But the real splendors of this set spring from the pit - Woldemar Nelsson (of whom I had never heard until I discovered this recording) leads the Beyreuth Festival orchestra in a burning account. They are a truly Wagnerian orchestra (it would be a shame if they weren't), and Nelsson brings out all the Master's colors. The energy of a live performance just pours out. Never have I heard the preludes and prominent sections played with such an intense timbre. It's amazing to hear.
Therefore, though this set doesn't match Kempe, Solti, or Leinsdorf overall, it is a strong alternate set that should not be ignored."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1
