Germanic paganism mixed with some Early Middle Age Christianity and a splash of Greek tragedy is the recipe for this week’s Sunday Opera (10/4 3:00 p.m.) and the Opera Southwest’s production of Richard Wagner’s “Lohengrin.” The son of King Parsifal, Lohengrin, is sent by God to protect Elsa of Brabant, who has been falsely accused of the murder of her brother, and to unite the people of Brabant. His one condition is that Elsa never ask his name, or he will be forced to leave her. The Opera Southwest cast includes Core Bix in the title role and Michelle Johnson as his Elsa.
As the treacherous Telramund, you’ll hear Sean Anderson and Claudia Chapa as his wife Ortrud. Anthony Barrese conducts. Stay tuned after the opera for more music about the age of the knights when Michael Kownacky brings you Glazunov’s “From the Middle Ages,” Britten’s “Suite from King Arthur,” and a selection from Coates’ “A Jester at the Wedding.”