Lohengrin

Music by Richard Wagner

Libretto by the composer

PRODUCTION NEW TO SAN FRANCISCO OPERA

The prayers of a desperate woman are answered in the form of a noble warrior in Wagner's most accessible opera, which contrasts the lust for power with the search for faith. The title role is sung by Brandon Jovanovich, "a first-rate Wagner tenor" (San Francisco Chronicle) who was an electrifying Siegmund in Die Walküre (2011). As his doubt-plagued bride, soprano Camilla Nylund "evokes an affecting degree of dreamy distance in Elsa's account of her mysterious savior" (Gramophone). Daniel Slater's "thoughtful and tasteful" production (Associated Press) also features veteran Wagnerians Kristinn Sigmundsson, Gerd Grochowski and Petra Lang. Nicola Luisotti conducts his first Wagner opera for San Francisco Opera.

Lohengrin tickets are priced $5–$45 lower when included as a part of a Full or Half Series.

Sung in German with English supertitles
Approximate running time: 4 hours, 20 minutes including two intermissions

Pre-Opera Talks are free to ticketholders and take place in the main theater in the Orchestra section, 55 minutes prior to curtain.

Co-production of Houston Grand Opera and Grand Théâtre de Genève

Production photo: Brandon Jovanovich in San Francisco Opera production of
Die Walküre by Cory Weaver
Additional photos: Felix Sanchez/Houston Grand Opera

Audio excerpts are from the October 9, 1996 performance of Lohengrin with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Donald Runnicles.


Cast

Lohengrin Brandon Jovanovich
Elsa von Brabant Camilla Nylund *
Ortrud Petra Lang
Friedrich von Telramund Gerd Grochowski
Heinrich der Vogler Kristinn Sigmundsson
King's Herald Brian Mulligan

Production Credits

Conductor Nicola Luisotti
Director Daniel Slater
Production Designer Robert Innes Hopkins *
Lighting Designer Simon Mills
Chorus Director Ian Robertson
Movement Director Leah Hausman

* San Francisco Opera Debut

Synopsis

ACT I
 
King Heinrich of Germany, in Antwerp to raise an army, calls on the Brabantian noble, Telramund, to explain why the country is wracked by strife. Telramund claims that his ward Elsa has murdered her brother, Gottfried, the heir of Brabant. Convinced of Elsa’s guilt, Telramund has given up his claim to her hand and married Ortrud, a sorceress. Elsa is summoned to defend herself and tells of a dream she has had of a knight who will be her champion and whom she will marry. Twice the herald calls on the knight to appear, but only after Elsa has added her prayer does Lohengrin arrive. He bids a sad farewell to the swan that has accompanied him and announces that he has come to vindicate Elsa and to be her husband—but that he will depart if ever Elsa should ask him his name or place of origin. Elsa agrees to these conditions. To establish her innocence, Lohengrin engages Telramund in single combat and emerges victorious.
 
ACT II
 
Scene 1 – Telramund broods on his defeat at the hands of Lohengrin and blames Ortrud for ensnaring him in her plot for the throne. Ortrud defends herself and convinces Telramund that Lohengrin won the battle through sorcery. When Elsa appears, Ortrud appeals to her pagan gods for help. As Elsa offers her friendship and forgiveness, Ortrud begins to sow the seeds of doubt in the mind of the bride.
 
Scene 2 – Joyful preparations are made for the wedding. As Elsa prepares to enter the cathedral with her bridal procession, Ortrud halts the festivities, claiming that the “nameless knight” is an imposter. Telramund accuses Lohengrin of sorcery. Elsa assures her champion of her faith, but the poison of doubt has begun its work. King Heinrich leads the couple into the cathedral.
 
ACT III
 
Scene 1 – In their bridal chamber, as Lohengrin and Elsa declare their love for each other, Elsa’s anxiety heightens. Seized by a growing need to know his identity, she begs him to reveal his name and origin. Suddenly Telramund and his henchmen invade the chamber, intending to kill Lohengrin. Telramund is slain by Lohengrin. Sadly leaving Elsa in the dare of her attendants, Lohengrin orders the nobles to bear Telramund’s body to the King and tells Elsa that he will meet her there to answer her questions.
 
Scene 2 – As King Heinrich gathers the armies to prepare for the coming battle, Telramund’s body is brought before him. When Elsa arrives, distraught and unable to speak, Lohengrin reveals Telramund’s treachery. He declares that he is Lohengrin, son of Parsifal. As one of the sinless warriors who guard the Holy Grail, it is his duty to go forth into the world to defend those who are beset by evil. He announces that he was sent to be Elsa’s champion and restore the rightful ruler of Brabant to his throne. Elsa’s promise having been broken, he must now return the guardianship of the Grail. Predicting victory for the King’s forces, Lohengrin bids Elsa a sorrowful farewell as the swan that brought him again nears the shore. Ortrud rushes in declaring that the swan is in actuality Elsa’s brother, Gottfried, on whom she has placed a spell. She rejoices over Elsa’s betrayal of Lohengrin, the one man who could have broken the spell. Lohengrin prays and the swan vanishes; in its place stands Gottfried.

Performances

  • Sat 10/20/12 7:00pm

  • Wed 10/24/12 7:00pm *

  • Sun 10/28/12 1:00pm *

  • Wed 10/31/12 7:00pm *

  • Sat 11/3/12 7:00pm

  • Tue 11/6/12 7:00pm

  • Fri 11/9/12 7:00pm

*OperaVision: High-definition video projection screens will be featured on the balcony level for this performance.
OperaVision is made possible by the Koret-Taube Media Suite.

Sponsors

This production is made possible, in part, by The Bernard Osher Endowment Fund. Nicola Luisotti's appearance made possible by Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Farrow, Chairs, Amici di Nicola of Camerata.

Cast, program, prices and schedule are subject to change.