Lohengrin

Hans Neuenfels' 2011 Bayreuth Festival production of Wagner's 1850 opera—revolving around a mysterious knight who becomes the champion and husband of Elsa (dispossessed heiress of the Kingdom of Brabant) while also demanding that his identity remain secret—dresses the chorus as rats and serves up periodic animated projections of rodents on the march (apparently the idea is that the nobles are manipulating the masses, just as the Pied Piper led the scurrying creatures from Hamelin). While the choristers' costumes are cleverly designed (more so than those for the leads), and the sets are well done, Neuenfels' concept never stops feeling simultaneously pretentious and ridiculous. And that's especially unfortunate because musically the production is strong. Klaus Florian Vogt is virtually perfect in the title role, and Georg Zeppenfeld's King Heinrich and Samuel Youn's Herald impress as well. And while the women—Annette Dasch as Elsa and Petra Lang as the malevolent Ortrud—are not quite in the same league, they are still formidable. Add the splendid work by the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra under Andris Nelsons and this mounting would seem to be a solid recommendation were it not for Neuenfels' odd concept. As is, this is inferior to the Baden-Baden production (VL-9/07). Presented in DTS 5.1 (DTS-HD 5.1 on the Blu-ray version) and LPCM stereo on DVD, extras include cast and crew interviews, and a cast gallery. Optional. (F. Swietek)