We had a new knight, a new Elsa and an almost new Telramund in the March 10 “Lohengrin.” Heard for the first time at the Met in these roles were Jess Thomas, Leonie Rysanek and Hermann Uhde (Mr. Uhde had earlier in the season been scheduled to sing Telramund but performed only Act I before becoming indisposed; Walter Cassel finished the opera).
Looking like a statue of silver in his impressive paneled costume, tenor Tess Thomas was an ardent, fresh Lohengrin. He had ample dramatic instincts to match his fine voice, and it all added up to a commanding performance. Leonie Rysanek was also in top form, singing in a possessed, hypnotic manner. Her Elsa was no sheltered lily, but a passionate woman torn by devotion and doubt to point of virtual hysteria. These two fine artists made the Bridal Chamber Scene a taut, vivid affair – high verismo, that set the stage ablaze.
Mr. Uhde was obviously struggling with the upper reaches of Telramund’s part, and on the whole it was a losing battle. His sense of drama was as potent as ever, but he simply lacked the vocal security to give it proper due.
John Ardoin