Wagner's Parsifal

21 Jan 2023, 15:55 (CET): Parsifal has been described as ‘the greatest work of art ever created in any medium.’

Parsifal has been described as ‘the greatest work of art ever created in any medium.’

Richard Wagner’s final music drama is unlike anything that went before or has come since. It can feel more like a ritual ceremony than an opera – grand yet intimate, somehow occupying its own space and time. At the heart of Parsifal is a curious, magical treatment of the symphony orchestra that appears to give the voices above it all the space and autonomy they need.

Following award-winning concert performances of Peter Grimes with Stuart Skelton in the title role, the Australian tenor returns to Bergen in the same capacity for this Parsifal under chief conductor Edward Gardner. Joining them is a handpicked cast including Johan Reuter as the wounded Amfortas, Brindley Sherratt as the wise old Gurnemanz and Ricarda Merbeth as the teasing Kundry. Any performance of Parsifal is special. Focusing on Wagner’s miraculous, glowing music alone, this one is sure to prove truly memorable.

English title Parsifal
Genre Opera
Recording location Grieghallen, Norway
Recording date 21 January 2023
Production year 2023
Duration 5 hours and 30 minutes including two intermissions
Production Company Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
Musical style Opera
English title of music work Parsifal
Composer Richard wagner
Orchestra / Band Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor Edward Gardner
Choir Bergen Philharmonic Choir
Choir Edvard Grieg Korene
Choir Collegium Musicums Kor
Chorus Master Håkon Matti Skrede
Stage Director Nicolai Riise
Costumes Cathrine Ahlsen
Original Text Richard Wagner
Soloist Stuart Skelton, Parsifal
Soloist Ricarda Merbeth, Kundry
Soloist Johan Reuter, Amfortas
Soloist Brindley Sherratt, Gurnemanz
Soloist Olafur Sigurdarson, Klingsor
Soloist Wilhelm Schwinghammer, Titurel
Soloist Eirik Grøtvedt
Soloist Changdai Park
Soloist Ingeborg Gillebo
Soloist Monika Jägerova
Soloist John Olsen
Soloist Erlend Tvinnereim
Soloist Monika Jägerova
Soloist Agnieszka Adamczak
Soloist Lydia Hoen Tjore
Soloist Olivera Ticevic
Soloist Emily Pogorelc
Soloist Ingeborg Gillebo
Soloist Margrethe Fredheim