Parsifal

 

Wagner Parsifal opera to a libretto by the composer. Directed 1998 by Wolfgang Wagner at the Bayreuth Festival. Stars Falk Struckmann (Amfortas), Matthias Hölle (Titurel), Hans Sotin (Gurnemanz), Poul Elming (Parsifal), Ekkehard Wlaschiha (Klingsor), and Linda Watson (Kundry). Giuseppe Sinopoli conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the Bayreuther Festspiele (Chorus Master Norbert Balatsch). Set design by Wolfgang Wagner. Directed for TV by Horant H. Hohlfeld. Sung in German. Released 2014, disc claims 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA

This was recorded in 1998 and first came out (over a decade later!) in 2010 in DVD. Does this benefit from Blu-ray treatment or is it legacy material? Opera expert James A. Altona wrote a magnificent review of the DVD in Fanfare which was later published by ArkivMusic. It seems per Altona and others that this recording is one of the best traditional productions of Parsifal that was ever made available as a DVD. The reports also praise good video and surround sound (caution advised). So I decided to post this at least for now. I would welcome comments whether this title is good enough to keep on the website or whether it should be excluded.

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