Jonas Kaufmann makes his role debut as Lohengrin at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich later today.
Richard Jones's eagerly-awaited new production will be broadcast on a big screen outside the opera house (if you're lucky enough to be in Munich) and also on the radio station Bayern 4 Klassik - which you can listen to here.
The show starts at 17.00 CET, which is 4pm in the UK, and there's a preamble with interviews at 16.30 CET (all in German selbstverständlich).
Listen to a preview programme including brief interviews with Richard Jones, conductor Kent Nagano and Jonas himself here.
Jonas Kaufmann and Anja Harteros (Elsa) - dress rehearsal
Much applause at the end plus also very audible booing.
Posted by: Hal | July 05, 2009 at 07:25 PM
.....but it's not over yet.....that was just the second act.....
We'll find out who the booing is for (Jones and Nagano are prime suspects) in an hour or so (maybe longer given the pace Nagano's taking it at) - but I should point out for anyone unfamiliar with German operatic customs that it's unusual for a new production NOT to be booed on its premiere, especially where the sacred R.Wagner is involved.
Posted by: inter mezzo | July 05, 2009 at 07:46 PM
Over now. I thought Kaufmann's singing nuanced and subtle but not Wagnerian, in the sense of a large assertive voice. No Melchior he.
Posted by: Hal | July 05, 2009 at 09:24 PM
I too thought he sounded surprisingly small, but that could just be the radio balance. Very Italianate as well, and some of the role lies too high for comfort for him. But clearly popular with the audience.
All the final curtain boos - and it sounded like more than half the house - were for Richard Jones. Goodness knows what crimes he's committed, but I shall find out in a week's time when I go to Munich and see it myself.
Posted by: inter mezzo | July 05, 2009 at 11:51 PM
when are you going? 12, 15 by any chance? ;-)))) shall i ask the stewardess on the BA flight to have a shout out for intermezzo? :-)
Posted by: Hariclea | July 06, 2009 at 12:33 AM
What performance are you attending? 12 July? I’ll be there, too.
Posted by: Laurent | July 06, 2009 at 12:45 AM
I'm there for the week - definitely going to the 15, with luck the 12 too - so maybe see you there!
Posted by: inter mezzo | July 06, 2009 at 08:14 AM
Blimey, is everybody in Munich next week? I'm there for the Ariadne auf Naxos on the 16th. I even have a spare ticket, if anybody would like one!
Posted by: Mike | July 07, 2009 at 07:41 AM
hey Mike,
could you tell me how much your spare ticket for Ariadne is?
email is englisch70@yahoo.de
(i'm in Germany.)
would possibly be interested in it.
thanks!
Posted by: I.R. | July 08, 2009 at 01:55 PM