Vintage 1964 Wagner LOHENGRIN All 3 Acts Kempe Angel 3641 5 LP Box Set Mint/VG++

$

25

Wagner LOHENGRIN All Three Acts with Translation Classic Angel Stereo 3641 E/L Rudolf Kempe, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Vinyl Mint, Box VG++ (some cover wear), original Angel sleeves, one has split on side (see picture).  Marked as used, but has not been played. Opened and inspected.

LOHENGRIN by Richard Wagner 

Performer:  Otto Wiener (Bass), Christa Ludwig (Mezzo Soprano), Gottlob Frick (Bass), 

Elisabeth Grümmer (Soprano), Jess Thomas (Tenor), Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (Baritone) 

Conductor:  Rudolf Kempe

Chorus Master:  Richard Rossmayer

Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna State Opera Chorus,  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra 

Date of Recording: 1962-63

Released: 1964 

Venue:  Vienna Theater, Austria 

Length: 217 Minutes 23 Secs. 

Language: German

Label:  Angel Records?– 3641 E/L

Format:  5 × Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo Box Set, includes lyric booklet. 

Country:  US

Lohengrin is a Romantic opera in three acts composed and written by Richard Wagner 1846-47, first performed in 1850. The story of the eponymous character is taken from medieval German romance, notably the Parzival of Wolfram von Eschenbach and its sequel Lohengrin, itself inspired by the epic of Garin le Loherain. It is part of the Knight of the Swan legend.  The literary figure of Lohengrin first appeared as a supporting character in the final chapter of the medieval epic poem Parzival of Wolfram von Eschenbach. The Grail Knight Lohengrin, son of the Grail King Parzival, is sent to the duchess of Brabant to defend her. His protection comes under the condition that she must never ask his name. If she violates this requirement, he will be forced to leave her.  The most popular and recognizable part of the opera is the Bridal Chorus, colloquially known as "Here Comes the Bride," usually played as a processional at weddings.

REVIEW: Despite all the praise heaped on Solti's Ring (and rightly so), it wasn't the only extraordinary Wagner opera project from the early 1960s that featured the Vienna Philharmonic in incandescent form.  Rudolf Kempe may not have been a podium superstar, but he was an inspiring musician, a seasoned man of the theater, and an absolute genius when it came to balancing orchestras.  If you think, as some understandably do, that Wagner's Lohengrin is often four square in its phrase shapes and dramatically plodding, Kempe will convince you otherwise. Time and again we are struck by how the Vienna Philharmonic, collectively and individually, sets the emotional and dramatic tone for what happens on stage.  And what a cast! Elisabeth Grümmer, who remains the most three-dimensional Elsa on record, partnered with Jess Thomas in the title role.