The most striking – and perhaps most interesting – aspect of Lohengrin is the setting itself: Brabant, the bizarre, dark world in which the musical drama takes place, replete with superstitions and strange impulses. The viewer is plunged straight into the midst of an assembly, where a political game is palpably in progress. The two key protagonists in this drama are the accused Elsa and her accuser Telramund, and we come perilously close to seeing Elsa lose. Lohengrin arrives from another world, which Wagner suitably articulates by having him shrouded in a poetic veil and bathed in a strange light. He is completely at odds with the strikingly militant ambience of Brabant. With his entrance on the scene, the figures of the militant world of soldiers change and the dark tones of the music begin to brighten in his presence. Only Lohengrin can conjure colour from the surroundings of military grey, and it is a change that Elsa herself desires. In the title role of Lohengrin for both performances is István Kovácsházi, one of Europe’s most popular performers in the role. The part of Elsa is sung by a Wagnerian star of the Vienna State Opera, Ricarda Merbeth . The outstanding German baritone Anton Keremidtchiev, a successful interpreter of Verdi and Wagner alike, makes his debut at the Palace of Arts as Telramund. The part of Ortrud will be “shared” over the two performances by Linda Watson, one of the most sought-after Wagnerian sopranos today, and Michaela Schuster, a leading star of the Berlin Opera. Conductor for the performances is Gergely Vajda. Presented by: Palace of Arts “Wagner in Budapest” in New York Times

Presented by: