Parsifal

Accurately described as a “Bühnenweihfestpiel” (stage dedication festival play), Wagner's monumental allegorical work, inspired by Wolfram von Eschenbach's epic medieval poem, proceeds at a reverential pace, propelled by various musical motifs. In a nutshell: Gurnemanz and other knights charged with guarding the Holy Grail and Holy Spear (which had pierced the side of Christ) watch over their king, Amfortas, who has fallen prey to the evil sorcerer Klingsor through the seductive wiles of the enchantress Kundry. Afflicted with a wound that does not heal, Amfortas can only be cured by “one who finds understanding through compassion,” namely the untouched youth Parsifal, who perseveres over the king's enemies and ultimately retrieves the lost Holy Spear, with which Amfortas is healed. Filmed at the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden in 2004, Nikolaus Lehnhoff's production has received wide critical acclaim, not only for the vocal work, but also for its innovative setting and interpretive slant. Nontraditional, but not over-the-top, this Parsifal depicts Christian rituals as outworn, with Kundry surviving and joining Parisfal and the knights to follow a light to a new world. Under the baton of Kent Nagano, the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin shines, while the uniformly brilliant cast features Matti Salminen as Gurnemanz and Waltraud Meier as Kundry, who both set a high performance standard that is closely followed by Thomas Hampson as Amfortas, Christopher Ventris as Parsifal, and Tom Fox as Klingsor. Presented in DTS and LCPM stereo, DVD extras include a cast gallery, illustrated synopsis, and a mildly interesting background documentary. While the 1993 Metropolitan Opera production under James Levine with Meier and Kurt Moll is revered, this performance offers a refreshing new perspective. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (J. Reed)