Lohengrin at Covent Garden

[Don Fatale]

I went last Sunday, the second performance of six for this new production.
Cast:
Jennifer Davis (Elsa), Christine Goerke (Ortrud), Klaus Florian Vogt (Lohengrin), Thomas J Mayer (Telramund)
Andris Nelsons (Conductor) David Alden (Production)

I guess the big news is the rising star Jennifer Davis, so good in the role that this debut run seems unlikely to be her last Elsa. A lyric soprano with a direct and pleasing tone that the listener immediately likes. Goerke is much more familiar as Ortrud and she does a great job of course. Klaus Florian Vogt has fans, I was sitting next to one who had tickets for all performances, and more of his Lohengrins elsewhere. Perhaps I'm missing something? His light sing-spiel tone doesn't do it for me.

While the production didn't offend, I didn't greatly like the boring concept, you know the one - 20th century, totalitarian state, greatcoats, very little colour.

Always good to see this opera, but no so much this production. Go to Audi's Amsterdam production if you ever get a chance!

Professional review:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/ ... pera-house

[Van der Decken]

While the production didn't offend, I didn't greatly like the boring concept, you know the one - 20th century, totalitarian state, greatcoats, very little colour.

Yeah, that concept probably works a lot better for an opera like Fidelio.