Schumann's only completed opera, a tale of marital fidelity set in eighth-century Brabant, is consciously heroic and Germanic. Count Siegfried is summoned to fight in the Crusades and leaves his new young wife Genoveva at home. During his absence, Golo, a young knight, tries to win her over with the aid of a magic mirror belonging to his sorceress foster-mother. But
Genoveva stands firm and is rewarded with a happy reunion with Siegfried. Premiered two months before. Lohengrin, Schumann's opera contains some decidedly Wagnerian traits - a continuous flow of music and more than a hint of some leitmotifs. Sung in German.
Arnold Schoenberg Choir,
Chamber Orchestra of Europe, conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt