My favorite Lohengrin: Franz Völker

[WMP777]

The tone production is effortless and beautiful. Wonderful technique.

[wattever333]

I love how wagnerian heroes are so strong yet serene.

[EdmundStAustell]

This is about as fine as Wagnerian tenor singing gets! Wonderful!

[paulostroff99]

Lovely singing.One of my favourite Wagner selections.TY primobaritono for posting and James for sharing.

[CanadaPisces]

A wonderful Heldentenor! Thank you primobaritone for uploading this outstanding recording!

[3muimui]

@CanadaPisces  Beautiful! thank you for sharing James!

Thanks to primobaritono for posting! : )

[LeChevalierDuFeu]

großartig!

[qklq42]

Elegant !

Hans NL

[dadasopher]

one of my favorite songs of all time - beautiful version, with that nobility of soul that makes it even more beautiful

[faktenmann]

Bislang wird der unvergessene Franz Völker in diesem Forum vor allem als Opernsänger vorgestellt,aber auch als Interpret der leichten Muse(Operette,Filmschlager etc.). Völker war aber auch ein geschätzter Konzertsänger.Besonders sind folgende Lied-Aufnahmen zu erwähnen: "Wiegenlied" von Brahms, "Zueignung" von R.Strauss und "Du bist die Ruh" von Franz Schubert /Preiser-CD

[Reichstempler]

Sein r ist fantastisch : herab, Ritterschaft, erkoren

[tenorschofield]

Extraordinary tenro!!!! first time I hear him; and let me tell you, I will look for more material from him. BRAVOOO!!!!Thanks for sharing!!!!

[GERMANYFrankie]

wunderbar

[aaronsande]

This is spectacular heldentenor singing, no doubt about that. I would say, though, that it isn't lyrical enough for Lohengrin...for me the award goes to Konya, for this specific role.

I LOVE Volker's voice for the heavier Wagnerian arias, the ring cycle.... But just not quite "pretty" enough for this role, or gentle enough for this aria.

A million times better than any today, though. And, I think, better than Melchior.

[mwk12kev]

Thank you! This is beautiful.  He has everything the current crop of 'heldentenors' do not.

[kuddelfranz20001]

Danke

[mhoeler]

Simply beautiful.

[rotepmal]

This the first time I hear him singing this - its really beautiful! Before that I knew Völker only from some songs like "Ich habe heute Nacht vom Rhein..." . Yet it is opening a totally new dimension of Völker for me. Thanks a lot!

[janraffaello]

Beautiful! I knew the name but thanks to Youtube can hear him. So beautiful that even with this big voice, he can differentiate his sound and bring music of the highest standard

[dermotafan]

A singing to die for. Perfect for this role.

[TSukopp]

That is far more elegant, powerful, subtle than Melchiors interpretation from 1943. Compared to allmost every contemporary singer I think that they really could learn from Völker.

[preruminator]

Thasnks for posting this unpretentious, chaste rendition of Franz Völker.

[egymagyar1111111]

primobaritono thanks for Voelker almost forget him

[LE3C]

Magnificent.

[Quincypop]

Wonderful. Never heard him before. Even

singing. No sense of strain for the high notes. Thank you.

[ravinecab]

the best with Konia ; Thanks

[wwjacod13]

I've never heard this singer before but I was taken with it from the first note. I'm waiting on the first high note....

....nice! very beautiful. I need more raw power though.

[GermanOperaSinger]

More 'raw power' as you say for Sigfried perhaps. Not for Lohengrin. Voelker is perfect for this role.

[j72050]

.....the weight and bearing of Melchior permeates all of Wagner, his solid powerful beauty of tone is untouched, but yet, I will listen to Volker and Lorenz.....

[Glenmed]

Gosh! whenever I think I know something .. this happens! I uploaded Peter Anders's rendition recently, but I think he has to stand behind Franz Völker. This is a wonderful Wagner voice. Thanks also for your interesting notes.

[siukolaj]

If anyone wants to hear more of Völker and other gems you should definately get a compilation called "Great Moments from Wagner Operas" published by Opera D'Oro. But I suppose all you afficionados know of this. It is the most amazing collection of great Wagner singers from times when studio recordings were in their infancy. No tricks on this one! Just a tip from me...

[rupepill]

I must admit to having no knowledge of Jess Thomas beyond his name and reputation as a singer of high standard. Certainly there are many, doubtless some fine singers that I have yet to hear and enjoy. That is one of the greatest pleasures available on channels such as this one, where we have are given the opportunity to hear voices that may often be new to us.

[stevevandien]

I too am a longtime admirer of Volker. His sound and technique always suggest to me a somewhat weightier Bjorling:) --

[Johnny1206]

Völker is definitely my favorite Lohengrin!

His beautiful legato and lyricism put a standard to all interpreters of this role.

[ElPiconeroalCognac]

What do you think of Leo Slezak here?

[xxx777x99y]

Nothing!

[ElPiconeroalCognac]

I said "think" and you apparently haven't even tried. Perhaps you should "try" again.

[oegaziz43]

I will be listening to this many times;thank you so much.

[rupepill]

Although on stage Richard Tauber appeared in Wagner minor roles (the Steersman in Tristan and Isolde, for example) he had a pining to perform Wagner, and he sang this aria in a concert in Holland. That performance also is available to be heard here on YouTube, at TAUBERFANLEHAR's channel.

[rupepill]

Volker's a fine singer indeed. The Hungarian Sandor Konya also makes a nice job of this aria (he is to be seen on YouTube performing it), as does Richard Crooks. Lauritz Melchior is a wee bit heavy on the gas for this one but impressive nevertheless. Has Ben Heppner recorded this? I must check to see whether he's available here on YouTube in this great piece.

[WagnerNietzsche]

You can´t exclude Jess Thomas from the list of great Lohengrin singers. Great performance

[MrCafiero]

I have been enoying Volker for years. Such clear vowels and balance in his sound. Wonderful legato and probably the most beautiful tenor voice I have ever heard besides Caruso!