Album: Richard Wagner, Lohengrin – Bychkov/LDRSK, (Hanssler Profil)

Anna Picard
Sunday 10 May 2009 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

For those disinclined to spend an evening filtering out the BacoFoil breastplates of the Royal Opera House's latest revival of Lohengrin, this recording of Semyon Bychkov's slow-burning interpretation is a gift.

Even the most adipose Heldentenor can be an Adonis on disc, and Johan Botha's voice gleams like tempered steel in the title role. Petra Lang's scenery-chewing Ortrud aside, the cast sings intelligently and subtly, while the orchestral performance combines gravity, ethereality and immaculate chording.

Pick of the album: The dazzling 'Prelude and Wedding March' from Act III

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in