[Met Performance] CID:260270
Lohengrin {572} Metropolitan Opera House: 01/24/1980.
(Debut: Peter Hofmann
Review)
Metropolitan Opera House
January 24, 1980
LOHENGRIN {572}
Lohengrin...............Peter Hofmann [Debut]
Elsa....................Teresa Zylis-Gara
Ortrud..................Mignon Dunn
Telramund...............Vern Shinall
King Heinrich...........Bonaldo Giaiotti
Herald..................Arthur Thompson
Gottfried...............Daniel Smith
Noble...................Robert Goodloe
Noble...................Andrea Velis
Noble...................Philip Booth
Noble...................Charles Anthony
Conductor...............Giuseppe Patanč
Review of Bill Zakariasen in the Daily News
Peter Hofmann Sings a Great Lohengrin
When German tenor Peter Hofmann made his New York debut a year ago in a concert version of "Fidelio," he was complimented for his good looks but scored by critics for a malformed vocal technique. Well, Hofmann made his Metropolitan Opera debut Thursday night in the title role of "Lohengrin" and it appears he has been taking criticism to heart. Now he's allowing his attractive voice to ring some in the head instead of wallowing in the throat. As a result, he was one Lohengrin who ended his performance stronger than he began it.
Indeed Hofmann, in sum, was one of the great Lohengrins in Met history. His voice is not fundamentally large, but his tone possesses a rare warmth and power of projection, His phrasing was of intense expressiveness, the tone constantly changing color with the emotions. Hofmann is in addition without a doubt the most gorgeous man on the operatic stage today (sort of an early Errol Flynn), and he used his stunning physical presence to maximum dignity and dramatic effect. His was the sort of performance Wagnerians have been daydreaming about for decades.
The fearsome wobbles afflicting Vern Shinall's first Telramund indicated a severe indisposition - he definitely has done better in this repertory in the past. Another baritone, Arthur Thompson, gave great pleasure at crucial moments with his authoritative Herald. By the way, Hofmann (who is a big favorite with the teenybopper set in Germany) has recently come out with a best selling disco album. Maybe we should have second thoughts about this much-maligned musical form.