Our 42nd annual seminar, a half-day deep-dive into the world of Wagner’s Swan Knight. Moderated by composer and conductor Victoria Bond, with a presentation by Dr. Katherine Syer “Wagner’s Lohengrin: Blending Art and Life, On Stage and Off”; an interview with new production director François Girard; a roundtable with the Met cast featuring Günther Groissböck, Brian Mulligan, Piotr Beczała, and Tamara Wilson; a panel discussion with Met Orchestra Members Musicians Jason Haaheim, Timpani, Principal (The Rosaline Miranda Chair); Jessica Phillips, Clarinet (The Ruth and Harvey R. Miller Charitable Fund Chair); Thomas Lausmann, Director of Music Administration; and William Short, Bassoon, Principal; the program ended with Prof. Jeffrey Swann on “Good and Evil: The Musical Duality of Lohengrin”.
Met Cast Roundtable: Günther Groissböck, Brian Mulligan, Piotr Beczała, Tamara Wilson, interviewed by Victoria Bond
“The extent to which being exposed night after night to the greatest voices in the world influences our playing and our relationship to music” – William Short (bassoon), discussing the difference between symphonic and opera playing. With The Met Orchestra Roundtable: Jason Haaheim, Timpani; Jessica Phillips, Clarinet; Thomas Lausmann, Director of Music Administration; William Short, Bassoon
“Anything we play has a purpose. In Lohengrin, every moment ties into the story telling and ties into what the singers are doing. That to me is incredibly meaningful.” – Thomas Lausmann (Met Opera Director of Music Administration)
“The reason why the Met Orchestra in particular is so incredibly flexible is because we're always listening to that voice; there's something about the breath and the tone quality, especially with Wagnerian voices, that we're trying to follow. There's never a dull moment in opera; there's always something wonderful happening.” – Jessica Phillips (Clarinet)
Baritone Brian Mulligan (Herald)
Soprano Tamara Wilson (Elsa)
Tenor Piotr Beczała (Lohengrin)
Tenor Errin Duane Brooks (Nobleman)
Bass Günther Groissböck (King Heinrich)
Director François Girard discusses his new production of Lohengrin
Jeffrey Swann, NYU Steinhardt – piano faculty, concert pianist and lecturer
Katherine Syer on Lohengrin: Blending Art & Life, Onstage & Off
