110235-37 bk LohengrinEU 15/7/05 3:25 pm Page 12 Producer’s Note Great Opera Performances ADD During the mid-1940s, The National Broadcasting Company began relaying the Saturday afternoon Metropolitan 8.110235-37 Opera performances to South America, simultaneously with the North American broadcasts, via short wave transmission. Commentary was given by a Spanish announcer who spoke from a box at the Metropolitan next to the one used by the regular North American announcer, Milton Cross. It has also been suggested that a different microphone configuration may have been used for these South American broadcasts. 3 CDs This performance of Lohengrin comes from 16 inch lacquer-coated glass-based discs, recorded off the National Broadcasting Company’s South American feed. The original discs are no longer accessible, but WAGNER fortunately, they were professionally re-recorded to magnetic tape many years ago and it is this tape source which I have used for the present transfer. Most of the Spanish commentary was omitted when the tape transfer was Lohengrin made, but the final announcements were preserved and I have included them here for the sake of completeness. In re-mastering this material, I found that there was significant pitch fluctuation between the beginning and ending of Lauritz Melchior • Astrid Varnay • Kerstin Thorborg each 15 minute side. I have made every effort to keep the pitch as constant as possible throughout the performance. Never the less, one can still hear some occasional rapid pitch flutter that I was unable to correct. The original discs Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York • Erich Leinsdorf were in almost perfect condition when transferred and except for a noisy patch in the middle of Act Three, the lack of surface noise is remarkable. Therefore, no digital noise reduction has been employed. Recorded in 1943 Ward Marston Ward Marston In 1997 Ward Marston was nominated for the Best Historical Album Grammy Award for his production work on BMG’s Fritz Kreisler collection. According to the Chicago Tribune, Marston’s name is ‘synonymous with tender loving care to collectors of historical CDs’. Opera News calls his work ‘revelatory’, and Fanfare deems him ‘miraculous’. In 1996 Ward Marston received the Gramophone award for Historical Vocal Recording of the Year, honouring his production and engineering work on Romophone’s complete recordings of Lucrezia Bori. He also served as re-recording engineer for the Franklin Mint’s Arturo Toscanini issue and BMG’s Sergey Rachmaninov recordings, both winners of the Best Historical Album Grammy. Born blind in 1952, Ward Marston has amassed tens of thousands of opera classical records over the past four decades. Following a stint in radio while a student at Williams College, he became well-known as a reissue producer in 1979, when he restored the earliest known stereo recording made by the Bell Telephone Laboratories in 1932. In the past, Ward Marston has produced records for a number of major and specialist record companies. Now he is bringing his distinctive sonic vision to bear on works released on the Naxos Historical label. Ultimately his goal is to make the music he remasters sound as natural as possible and true to life by ‘lifting the voices’ off his old 78 rpm recordings. His aim is to promote the importance of preserving old recordings and make available the works of great musicians who need to be heard. 8.110235-37 12 110235-37 bk LohengrinEU 15/7/05 3:25 pm Page 2 happiness to an end. She begs him to stay, to witness her Brabant, whom she had bewitched with the help of her repentance, but he is adamant. The men urge him to own pagan gods. Lohengrin kneels in prayer, and when stay, to lead them into battle, but in vain. He promises, the white dove of the Holy Grail appears, he unties the however, that Germany will be victorious, never to be swan. As it descends in the water, Gottfried emerges. defeated by the hordes from the East. Shouts announce Ortrud sinks down, with a cry, while Gottfried bows to the appearance of the swan. the king and greets Elsa. Lohengrin leaps quickly into Lohengrin greets the swan. Sorrowfully he turns the boat, which is drawn away by the white dove. Elsa Great Opera Performances towards it, telling Elsa that her brother is still alive, and sees him, as he makes his sad departure. She faints into would have returned to her a year later. He leaves his her brother’s arms, as the knight disappears, sailing Richard horn, sword, and ring for Gottfried, kisses Elsa, and away into the distance. moves towards the boat. Ortrud comes forward, WAGNER declaring the swan to be Elsa’s brother, the heir to Keith Anderson (1813-1883) Lohengrin An Opera in 3 Acts Lohengrin . Lauritz Melchior Elsa of Braband . Astrid Varnay Friedrich von Telramund . Alexander Sved Ortrud, his wife . Kerstin Thorborg Henry the Fowler, King of Germany . Norman Cordon Herald . Mack Harrell Orchestra and Chorus of the Metropolitan Opera • Erich Leinsdorf Metropolitan Opera broadcast 2nd January 1943 The Naxos historical label aims to make available the greatest recordings in the history of recorded music, in the best and truest sound that contemporary technology can provide. To achieve this aim, Naxos has engaged a number of respected restorers who have the dedication, skill and experience to produce restorations that have set new standards in the field of historical recordings. 8.110235-37 2 11 8.110235-37 110235-37 bk LohengrinEU 15/7/05 3:25 pm Page 10 accusing him of sorcery. There is general wonder at the 6 He tells her to put aside her doubts; he loves her and CD 1 55:05 ! Nun höret mich und achtet wohl 6:34 secret which the knight keeps, but support for him. is of noble origin. She is still afraid that he may leave (Herald, All The Men, Lohengrin, Friedrich, her, imagining him summoning the swan to take him 1 Prelude 7:42 The King, Elsa, Ortrud, Ladies) # The king and nobles have confidence in the knight. away, and urging him with greater vehemence to reveal (Orchestra) Elsa, alone, is approached by Telramund, who offers to to her his secret. They are interrupted by Telramund and @ Durch Gottes Sieg ist jetzt dein Leben mein 3:51 wound her husband slightly, thus breaking any magic his four supporters. Elsa seizes the knight’s sword and Act 1 47:23 (Lohengrin, Chorus, The King, Elsa, Ortrud, power he might have, and securing his fidelity to her. hands it to him, and he strikes Telramund dead. The Friedrich) The knight, aware of what has been said, orders others seek mercy, while Elsa sinks down, fainting. Scene 1 Telramund and Ortrud to leave his sight. He asks Elsa 2 Hört! Grafen, Edle, Freie von Brabant! 2:19 whether she doubts him, but she denies any such idea. 7 The knight tells the nobles who had helped (Herald, Brabantines, The King, Saxons) CD 2 69:49 The couple approach the king and together they go up Telramund to take the body before the king. He calls the steps of the cathedral, although Elsa sees Ortrud’s Elsa’s attendants to prepare her to appear before the 3 Dank, König, dir, daß du zu richten kamst! 6:31 Act 2 69:49 threatening glance, before they enter for the wedding king, and sadly withdraws, prepared to reveal his (Friedrich, All The Men, Herald) ceremony. identity to her in the royal presence. Scene 1 Scene 2 1 Introduction 3:45 Scene 3 4 Seht hin! Sie naht, die hart Beklagte! 3:04 (Orchestra) CD 3 (All The Men, The King, Elsa) 8 The scene is the same as that of the opening, a grove 2 Erhebe dich, Genossin meiner Schmach! 7:20 Act III by the River Scheldt. The nobles of Brabant gather, 5 Einsam in trüben Tagen 3:40 (Friedrich, Ortrud) prepared to follow the king in battle. Telramund’s men (Elsa, All The Men, The King, Friedrich) 1 Prelude bring in his corpse and lay it before the king. Elsa 3 Du wilde Seherin! Wie willst du doch 6:21 The Prelude suggests the wedding celebrations. enters, pale and troubled, unable to answer the king’s 6 Mich irret nicht ihr träumerischer Mut 4:52 (Friedrich, Ortrud) greeting. ( Friedrich, All The Men, The King, Elsa) Scene 1 Scene 2 9 The knight enters, alone, and armed as on his first 7 Wer hier im Gotteskampf zu streiten kam 4:55 4 Euch Lüften, die mein Klagen 3:26 2 The king and nobles escort the knight to the bridal arrival. He will not follow the king in battle, but (Herald, All The Men, Friedrich, Elsa, Ladies, (Elsa, Ortrud, Friedrich) chamber, and Elsa is brought there by her women. The uncovers the body of Telramund, explaining the reason First Chorus, Second Chorus) king blesses them, and the couple is left alone. for his action. He then accuses Elsa of breaking her 5 Wer ruft? Wie schauerlich und klagend 3:31 word by seeking to know his name and origin. Scene 3 (Elsa, Ortrud) Scene 2 8 Nun sei bedankt, mein lieber Schwan! 3:34 0 He describes the distant castle of Montsalvat and (Lohengrin, Men and Women, The King) 6 Entweihte Götter! Helft jetzt meiner Rache! 3:43 3 The two declare their love for each other, alone the temple of the Holy Grail, given to the purest to (Ortrud, Elsa) together for the first time. guard by an angel, with powers revived each year by a 9 Zum Kampf für eine Magd zu steh’n 5:53 dove from heaven, and explains how the knights of the (Lohengrin, Elsa, Men and Women) 7 Wie kann ich solche Huld dir lohnen 7:02 4 Elsa recalls her dream and takes pleasure in her Grail are invincible in their journeys to right the wrongs (Ortrud, Elsa, Friedrich) name on her husband’s lips.