Parsifal

Synopsis

Russian stage director Kirill Serebrennikov’s fearlessness, which one can almost physically feel in his productions, fascinates some as much as it confuses others. His radical reading of Wagner’s last magnificent opera at Wiener Staatsoper considers Parsifal as an opera of liberation, namely as a liberation from oneself through the realisation that the path to freedom can only be tackled by oneself. One central idea of this production is the doubled Parsifal, who drags his old ego of the past around with himself in order to leave it behind at the end. Opposite the wavering Parsifal figures stands a powerful Kundry. The whole cast excels, especially the central pairing of Jonas Kaufmann as Parsifal and Elīna Garanča in her role debut as Kundry: two icons in prime vocal form and immersed in their roles to a degree that transcends the hype that surrounds them. Philippe Jordan conducting the Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper opts for a bright, fast Wagner. “A luxury cast for Wagner’s wonder sounds” Salzburger Nachrichten / “Serebrennikov conjures up worlds of images that never let you go.” FAZ

Additional Info

• No: A04050159
• Composer: Richard Wagner
• Conductor: Philippe Jordan
• Orchestra: Wiener Staatsoper Orchestra; Chor der Wiener Staatsoper
• Artists: Jonas Kaufmann, Elīna Garanča, Georg Zeppenfeld, Ludovic Tézier, Wolfgang Koch, Nicolay Sidorenko
• Production year: 2021
• Run time: 04:06:00
• Director: Stage Director: Kirill Serebrennikov
• Producers: ORF, Wiener Staatsoper, Unitel, ARTE
• Format: HDTV 16:9