| Wagner: Lohengrin | 
| Studio: Deutsche Grammophon
Category: DVD
List Price: $39.98
Buy New: $27.96
You Save: $12.02 (30%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (8 reviews)
Sales Rank: 23491
Format: Classical, Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language), German (Subtitled), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 214 minutes
Number Of Items: 2
Discs: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.6
MPN: 001085709
UPC: 044007344040
EAN: 0044007344040
ASIN: B000YD7S2Q
Release Date: April 8, 2008
Theatrical Release Date: April 8, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Acclaimed director Werner Herzog stages Richard Wagner s
classic opera, Lohengrin in a lavish production filmed at the
famed Bayreuth Opera House, with Peter Schneider
conducting the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra. The medieval
romance of the Swan Knight, who comes miraculously to the
rescue of the falsely accused Elsa of Brabant, became one
of Richard Wagner s most beloved operas. This production
features an all-star cast including Cheryl Studer as Elsa
and Paul Frey as Lohengrin, as well as Gabriele Schnaut,
Ekkehard Wlaschiha and Manfred Schenk.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...
Three great singing-actors November 21, 2008
The three great performances here are by Ekkehard Wlaschiha (who really brings Telramund to life), Gabrielle Schnaut (her Ortrud is fearsome, especially when she challenges Elsa at the end of Act II) and beautiful Eike-Wilm Schulte, light but not soft or whiney as the Herrufer. Also the choruses are fantastic.
The other singers are adequate, and the staging is terrific. I especially enjoy the slow-mo sword fight in Act I. And having Ortrud run into the river and turn her back to the audience for her prayer to the displaced gods in Act II is a nice touch.
 Magical and Mysterious October 20, 2008
This is perhaps the most mysterious and magical production of Lohengrin on DVD.
It is aptly interpreted, there are some great visual effects throughout using smoke, lighting and scenery. It is still a traditional rendering, but with a little more emphasis on the mysterious qualities of the drama.
A real feast for the eyes!
Lohengrin October 7, 2008
This is truly a glorious version of Lohengrin with a splendid cast and truly unusual dramatic effect. So,are the acoustics fine. Indeed, the best version of Lohengrin that I have encountered.
Good Lohengrin, though not definitive August 1, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I just purchased this, and though much has already said of the performers (particularly Schnaut, Studer, and Frey--all described accurately by other reviewers), I felt the need to review this positively to offset the reviewer who gave this production two stars because they disliked the ending.
"Regietheater" (director's theater) in opera is nothing new. This production, for the most part, is traditional. Only the true purists would complain. Heck, the Bayreuth '83 DVD production doesn't even have a swan. The swan in this seems a little out of place, but ih. . .at least it's *there*. We live in a world where Valkyries ride invisible horses and Wagner's stage directions are only "suggestions." Feel grateful the chorus isn't dumping soup on the stage.
I love Cheryl Studer's Elsa (the highlight of this production) and Schnaut's Ortrud, though not the best I've heard, is very well acted. Frey as Lohengrin can't really. . .er, act. . .but his voice is all right, and Lohengrin only has a big part to play in Act 3, so for the first two acts he isn't as annoying as he could be. All in all, I'd recommend this far and above the Met version and *any* version with Placido Domingo in it. (I know his German has improved in recent years, but my God!) This isn't my favorite version--that goes to the '83 Bayreuth DVD--but is definitely worth adding to any Wagner collection.
 beautiful but badly flawed August 1, 2008
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
I had seen a scene from the second act on YouTube and was stunned at how beautiful and realistic the production was, so I purchased this dvd. There were some amazingly beautiful touches in this production. Sets, costumes, colors. Also, some very fine performances by Studer and Schnaut most notably.
I was enjoying this UNTIL the very ending, which nearly, for me discredits the entire production. The ending of Lohengrin is unique in that we have both overwhelming happiness and sadness. When I say "overwhelming" - when done right, it is. And as it IS so unique, the effect on the viewer is too. Overwhelming happiness at the return of Elsa's brother and the triumph of "good over evil" - and overwhelming sadness as Elsa, upon discovering Lohengrin's departure, falling "life-less." (One small mystery that I have debated is whether Elsa merely faints or dies.) In any case, Ortrud is basically "evil incarnate" as she, with selfish and malicious motives is the cause of every problem in the story. HOW COULD the director obscure the very essense of the story at the end of this production? In this production after Lohengrin's departure, Elsa and Ortrud are seen "reaching out" to each other. huh?? HUH???? I was VERY disappointed, after having enjoyed the performance up to this point to witness such strangeness. The effect Wagner surely wanted is NOT here.
I would urge everyone who likes this opera to see the Met's production with Eva Marton and Peter Hoffman. THERE IS NO COMPARISON. I can tell you that you will be "overwhelmed" by how powerful the ending SHOULD be. Directors who distort the stories of operas are MISREPRESENTING great art. This is a RAMPANT problem in the world of opera. While on the sympohony orchestra stage, intellects are striving for authenticity, in the world of opera, great artists are participating in FALSE representations of some of the greatest works of art ever. One would not tolerate a mustache on the Mona Lisa. Opera lovers should INSIST on authenticity and respect to at least the ESSENSE of the operas themselves.
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