Wagner Parsifal - Staatsoper Berlin (Photo Staatsoper Berlin) |
Reviewed by Tony Cooper on Apr 8 2017
Star rating:
Dmitri Tcherniakov's powerful production of Wagner's final opera at the Berlin Festtage
Wagner Parsifal - Staatsoper Berlin (Photo Staatsoper Berlin) |
The philosophical ideas behind the libretto of Parsifal are Christianity and Buddhism but the actual trappings of Wolfram von Eschenbach’s 13th-century poem - focusing on the Arthurian hero Parzival and his long quest for the Holy Grail - are, basically, Christian based.
Wagner Parsifal - Staatsoper Berlin (Photo Staatsoper Berlin) |
The scene was as powerful as it comes while the Christ-like figure of Amfortas was magnificently and sensitively portrayed by the gifted and talented Estonian baritone, Lauri Vasar, whose voice - clear, precise and articulate - radiated round the large and inviting auditorium of the Schiller Theatre in a smooth fashion.
The Grail Knights, casually dressed, were kitted out in heavy-duty clobber going about their day-to-day business but when Gurnemanz, the veteran knight of the Holy Grail, arrives on the scene he stops them in their stride to explain through the aid of a slide-show depicting a rather primitive drawing of the 19th-century set design from the Bayreuth production the trials and tribulations that have befallen him and his fellow knights over the years. The role of Titurel was admirably sung by Matthias Hölle who harbours a strong deep-bass voice and delivered a confident and rewarding performance that I don’t think could be bettered.
Wagner Parsifal - Staatsoper Berlin (Photo Staatsoper Berlin) |
The scene when Kundry tempts Parsifal of the sins of the flesh was well executed with two actors re-enacting the attempted seduction when the mother of the boy bursts in unannounced furious of what she stumbles upon. Annoyed and frustrated by the intrusion, her son pushes her fiercely to the ground while Kundry - who suffered endlessly for mocking Christ on the Cross - quietly walks away.
When Kundry - penitent and sorrowful - washes the feet of Parsifal it proved a poignant and telling moment as always. And when she’s baptised by Parsifal, Gurnemanz explains to the young hero the spell of Good Friday where Nature is transfigured by love and innocence completely regained.
Wagner Parsifal - Staatsoper Berlin (Photo Staatsoper Berlin) |
As far as Wagner operas are concerned the orchestra is just as important as the singers and under the baton of Maestro Barenboim, his charges in the pit more than rose to the occasion. They excelled themselves and were heard to good effect in the Prelude to act one based on motives heard in The Love Feast and The Spear as well as the ‘Dresden Amen’ representing the Holy Grail while the Transformation Music was brilliantly executed.
Incidentally, the ‘Dresden Amen’ was composed by Johann Gottlieb Naumann for use at the Royal Chapel, Dresden. But such was its popularity that it took Saxony by storm and used by Catholics and Lutherans alike. Wagner also incorporated the piece in Das Liebesverbot (one of his earliest operas) and, indeed, drew upon it for the third act of Tannhäuser. And let’s not forget the members of the chorus who, under the guidance of the American-born conductor, Martin Wright, put in some hard, diligent and exciting work.
Elsewhere on this blog:
- Thoughtful: Bach's St Matthew Passion with Ian Bostridge - concert review
- Commitment to the word: Bach's St John Passion at Temple Music - concert review
- Nothing last minute at all: Kitty Whately and Joseph Middleton at the Wigmore Hall - concert review
- Listening in the dark: Tallinn Spring: Obscure Avenues at Estonian Music Days - concert review
- Dementia, disaffected youth and Amelia Earhart: Russell Hepplewhite's Silver Electra from English Touring Opera - opera review
- Contemporary classics & world premieres: Tallinn Spring: Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir at Estonian Music Days - concert review
- 25 years of Estonian contemporary music: Tallinn Spring: Estonian National Symphony Orchestra at Estonian Music Days - concert review
- A 55 year history: I talk to Kyung Wha Chung about Bach's solo violin sonatas and partitas - interview
- Naturalism and intensity: Tallinn Spring: Vox Clamantis at Estonian Music Days - concert review
- Strong line-up: Final of the Handel Singing Competition - concert review
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