Episode Details

The Bridal March from Lohengrin is a bold wedding choice once you know the rest of the opera. But considering the divorce rate, maybe it’s the most honest one. Critic Benjamin Poore joins us to talk about Wagner’s Swan King opera and ask the important questions: Is Lohengrin really the hero? Is Ortrud the only sane person? And what if Elsa did kill her brother?

Additional topics include: Nazis, doomscrolling, Richard Wagner’s Livejournal, and who could take Norman Lebrecht in a fight.

Don’t ask for Ben’s social media handles, but you can read his writing for VAN.

Full show page, including a synopsis of Lohengrin, recommended recordings, and further reading.

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