In his interview with Zachary Woolfe in The New York Times, François Girard revealed that he’ll be directing the Met’s long overdue new production of Wagner’s Lohengrin in a future season. Remembering his riveting Parsifal from a few years back, I was ecstatic.

But after tonight’s dark drab dud of a Dutchman, I was plunged into despair. It actually makes me nostalgic for the old yet infinitely more effective August Everding mounting it replaces. Musically, matters were equally unhappy with a competent but uninspired cast sabotaged by the predictably scattered and stodgy conducting of Valery Gergiev (why, oh why?).

You know you’re in trouble when the Erik is the standout among the principals. If seasick bad dreams don’t keep me up all night, there will be more tomorrow here on parterre box about the shipwreck at the Met.

Photo: Ken Howard / Met Opera

Christopher Corwin

Christopher Corwin began writing for parterre box in 2011 under the pen name “DeCaffarrelli.” His work has also appeared in , The New York Times, Musical America, The Observer, San Francisco Classical Voice and BAMNotes. Like many, he came to opera via the Saturday Met Opera broadcasts which he began listening to at age 11. His particular enthusiasm is 17th and 18th century opera. Since 2015 he has curated the weekly podcast Trove Thursday on parterre box presenting live recordings.

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