Lohengrin — Höchstes Vertraun hast du mir schon zu danken

Описание: Lohengrin: Christopher Sokolowski
Elsa: Sarah Jane Brandon
König Heinrich: Hidenori Inoue

Richard Wagner
Orchestral Dress Rehearsal
September 2024
Theater Bremen
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“Christopher Sokolowski (33) delivers a sensational role debut as Lohengrin this evening. Instead of a dazzling knight in heavy armor, he portrays a sympathetic, sensitive, slender young man full of self-doubt and fear. His performance is authentic and effortless, and vocally, Sokolowski is a true discovery. His clear, well-placed, and dynamically balanced voice masterfully handles both pianissimi and legato passages as well as messa di voce. His perfect diction crowns his extraordinary performance and raises hopes for a great and, above all, long and successful career.” — Klassik Begeistert

“Christopher Sokolowski delivers an impressive Lohengrin debut. In this context, Lohengrin's Montsalvat narrative becomes a highlight. Here, 33-year-old American Christopher Sokolowski crowns his impressive Lohengrin debut with vocal and dramatic presence. He is not only approachable as a nuanced hero but also connects emotionally and directly with Wagner's unique character. Sokolowski’s Lohengrin captivates with its baritonal color, skillfully manages the lyrical passages, and impresses when he lets his voice shine with metallic clarity.” — Concerti.de

“The miracle of the evening, however, was Christopher Sokolowski as Lohengrin. His voice is indescribably interesting and, above all, suited to the production: warm and baritonal, with glowing high notes, he seduced not only Elsa but also the audience. Additionally, his portrayal of Lohengrin as an outsider, with plenty of wit, was mesmerizing. Standing ovations for an opera evening lasting over four hours without any loss of tension.” — Neue Musikzeitung

“Christopher Sokolowski embodies this unusually cheerful Lohengrin very convincingly. His later despair, when he and Elsa can no longer find each other, is believable in every moment. Vocally, Sokolowski masters this role without any audible strain; his voice has brilliance and radiance and shows no signs of fatigue even towards the end. He begins the Grail narration so tenderly, as if he had not already sung with full power for three hours.” — Ioco Kultur im Netz

“It was visiting artist Christopher Sokolowski’s role debut as Lohengrin. He proved to be a good actor, doing full justice to the central idea of the flippant would-be adventurer. His voice is very suitable for the role of Lohengrin: he is able to mold it flexibly to express both gently flowing lines, as in the duet with Elsa in Act III, and the heroic exchanges with the King during his first appearance and again in Act III. His voice was still fresh for the Grail Narration, and he made it the genuine climax of his evening […] He delivered the acknowledgement of the swan at the beginning and the end of the opera in an exquisite piano.” — Seen and Heard International

“The young tenor Christopher Sokolowski made his debut in the title role that evening, giving everything both dramatically and vocally. While his rather dark tenor voice sounds quite heavy in the middle range, his high A in the Gralserzählung, along with his entire upper register, shines brilliantly. His text delivery was detailed, with numerous tonal modifications and accents. His Lohengrin is not a superhuman mythical hero, but rather a remarkably insecure character.” — OperaPoint

“Christopher Sokolowski doesn't physically resemble the typical Lohengrin; with his boyish, slender physique, he could just as well be a ballet dancer. But with his masculine-toned tenor, he fulfills all the requirements for the role, which he carries through to the end with brilliance and without any signs of fatigue.” — Der Opernfreund

“[Christopher Sokolowski] possesses a very resonant voice with a 'sparkling' timbre and a special shimmer, along with a radiant upper register that will undoubtedly take him far, not only in the Wagner repertoire. A very interesting new tenor with a highly successful debut, and we will surely be hearing more from him in the future!” — Ihr Opernratgeber

“American tenor Christopher Sokolowski, with his blond curls and slim, athletic figure, makes both his Bremen and Lohengrin debuts. His youthful appearance is only half the appeal, as vocally he lacked neither radiance nor substance. His baritone-tinged voice was confidently controlled, even in the softest dynamics.” — Weser Kurier

“Christopher Sokolowski in the title role perfectly fits this directorial concept in both voice (a metallic, commanding tenor) and appearance (an attractive young man). He has a great deal of power and knows how to guide his rather strong, text-focused tenor with nuanced soft tones.” — Kreiszeitung