This release shows a performance of Parsifal with the Staatskapelle Berlin conducted by Daniel Barenboim. Besides the conductor, it features three top cast members versed with Wagner, Andreas Schager, Anja Kampe, and Rene Pape - who have all appeared at Bayreuth in the last five years.
This production like others is very modern, though not as meaningless. Gurnemanz and the Grail Knights are presented as a group of hobos but Klingsor and his Maidens are even more silly. The lead villain looks like he may as well be one's grandfather and the Flowermaidens - girls among them - are dressed like his daughters and granddaughters. One of the maidens has cringeworthy singing at one point which I find the worst of the whole bit, though there is more nonsense. While Kundry sings to Parsifal of his past, actors onstage represent Parsifal, his mother, and one girl. While other productions tend to sexualize the scene with the Flowermaidens, this is the most intense part of the opera since the girl takes off her top.
Soon, when the opera normally had Parsifal and Kundry kiss with the former realizing his quest, she leads Parsifal offstage only for Parsifal to run onstage without his shirt and her without her pants. Later in the scene, Parsifal wrests the spear from grandpa Klingsor and kills him with it, spewing blood on himself.
There is also a humorous ending where after Parsifal cures Amfortas and the knights are reveled in the grace of the lord, Kundry comes in and smooches the latter. While Parsifal watches reverently, Gurnemanz is not impressed and knives her in the back, leaving Parsifal to carry her body offstage.
Although the production brings the opera near comedy, the singing and orchestral performance still has great power to recommend it.
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