This 2024 release from the
Deutsche Grammophon label is based on a 2023 production of
Parsifal at the Wagnerian shrine of Bayreuth, one that stirred up a good deal of controversy in its initial appearance. The production involved AR glasses (which caused controversy on its own after Bayreuth refused to splurge for them for the whole audience, restricting them to critics and VIPs) that revealed such scenic elements as skulls, swans, and arrows flying through the air. Thankfully, the controversy isn't relevant to the recording, which is musically solid throughout. There are plenty of recordings of
Parsifal, but those made at Bayreuth deserve a leg up inasmuch as
Wagner was adamant that that was where the opera should be performed. During his lifetime, and for some time afterward, he managed to prevent it from being staged anywhere else. The fine
Bayreuth Festival Chorus seems to shimmer in waves in the production work of
Katharina Wagner (great-granddaughter of the big guy) and
Mari Inamasu. Perhaps there are
Parsifals with bigger names, but the principals here are all very strong. If
Elina Garanca, as Kundry, isn't quite a household name just yet, just give her a few years. Perhaps the highlight is
Andreas Schager as Parsifal. This Austrian singer qualifies as underrated. He has been around for a long time, but he brings out the naive, blank slate quality of the young title character, no mean feat for a bass. On top of all this is a sumptuous booklet that includes some of the augmented reality images for those interested. This excellent release made classical best-seller charts in the summer of 2024. ~ James Manheim
