Vienna blip: Beczala misses his debut
mainPiotr Beczala called in sick for his Vienna role debut as Lohengrin. There was a luxury sub for the suffering Pole, but not everyone was laughing.
Our man on the spot, Larry L. Lash reports: ‘Piotr Beczala skipped tonight’s “Lohengrin” at Wiener Staatsoper, so the audience is being treated to Klaus Florian Vogt in Andreas Homoki’s hideous production which I stormed out of at its premiere and caught a late-night screening of “The Grand Budapest Hotel” as a palate cleanser.
Vogt as Lohengrin. Photo: Vienna State Opera / Michael Pöhn
If that is the production then it looks like a good thing to miss!
Yes, a ridiculous production.
Wonder what Mr Luxury-Vogt made of Valery in the pit.
“luxury sub”?
Does anyone REALLY like the way he sings?
I do.
We’re all individuals.
I’m another. I think he’s a marvel. It’s an unconventional sound for some of what he does, but it carries well and he’s lasted a long time in his repertoire. His Paul in Die tote stadt, Alwa in Lulu, and Lohengrin were special to me.
His Lohengrin, at stage, sounds magic.
I find it really really awful as well…
I love him!
what a wonderful singer Klaus Florian is ! as well as Piotr – it was amazing to hear them both in Bayreuth last summer.
One of the worst singers currently in the repertoire. Bringing a complete disgrace to the whole Wagnerian genre.
Absolutely Vogt is a disgrace and an insultbto the great german wagnerians of yesteryear
Perhaps Beczala could no longer do a good job of pretending to be able to sing Lohengrin. Remember when Francisco Araiza started singing it? It was not too many years afterwards we stopped ever hearing about him.
Don’t create any bad rumors. This is irresponsible! Piotr was sick and sang the second performance despite not having fully recovered. He was marvellous and proved that he is one of the best, if not the best tenor in his field.