Enthralled by Wagner in Lohja Church on the 27th of June, 2020

Covid-19 spring changed in some ways all our lives. One of the sad changes was total stop of live music. In the beginning of March I was in Gothenburg Opera and the next weekend they had no more performances due to the pandemic. Sure, all better or less known opera house/group offered streamed performances and concerts, but even though they are better than nothing, nothing beats the live performances.

And finally it was possible! Jyrki Anttila organized a Wagner concert in the Lohja Church of Saint Lawrence. Despite the hot weather I jumped to the bus (luckily with AC!) and travelled to Lohja literally itching of excitement.  

And the concert was worth all the itching. The first part was the first act of “The Valkyrie”. Hans-Otto Ehrström accompanied by piano. Wagner’s music is, of course, at its best when played by a full orchestra, but Ehrström did well and – as I mentioned to one of my opera friends before the performance – I would have been happy even if the accompaniment had been by a harmonica, so much I had missed live music.

”The Valkyrien” was really excellent. The role of Sieglinde was sung – with sparkle – by Miina-Liisa Värelä. The feeling in the aria ”Du bist der Lenz” was gripping. But if Värelä was in great form, Jyrki Anttila as Siegmund was magnificent. He was able to portrait the whole emotional scope of Siegmund with all its tones and technically the signing was pitch perfect. I literally got goosebumps when he sang his father’s name ”Wälse, Wälse”. Incredibly fantastic! The last side of the triangle was Timo Riihonen as Hunding. A valiant base, who with all his gestures and facial expressions told the story of the opera. The performance should have got louder applause than the smallish audience (due to Covid-19 restrictions) was able to clap however hard it tried.    

After a short break, we heard the last (third) act of “Tannhäuser”, whose atmosphere is totally different from “The Valkyrie”. The role of Tannhäuser was again masterfully sung by Jyrki Anttila, Wolfram von Eschenbach’s role was sung by Jaakko Kortekangas and Miina-Liisa Värelä sung the roles of Elisabeth and Venus. All the singers were good, but once again Jyrki Anttila was in the class of his own. What a spectacular start to live performances!