Praised as much for its visionary intensity as for its vivid sense of theatre, this Lohengrin, conducted by Rudolf Kempe and recorded in Vienna, unites an exceptional cast: Jess Thomas in the title role, both idealised hero and vulnerable man; the radiant Elisabeth Grümmer as Elsa and, as Ortrud and Telramund, Christa Ludwig and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, subtly bringing extra dimensions to the two villains of the piece.