Search - Richard Wagner, Reginald Goodall, Welsh National Opera :: Wagner: Parsifal

Who can deny sex to this Kundry?

Guntram | PR,Brazil | 02/15/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This recording is not well-known perhaps it was registered
in 1984 and there are lots of Parsifal on CD currently.I
have many of that due to Parsifal is my predilection among
Wagner's operas.Goodall was an engaged wagnerian studious.
His approach underlines the more dense,occult both musical
and philosophical aspects in the score.The well prepared
cast surprises me,mainly Warren Ellsworth whose I never
heard before.He has a strong,piercing tenor voice allied to
a singular emission that shift itself in a dark barytonal
timbre,like a more shady Franco Corelli.It is interesting
because sometimes Amfortas(pshicho-counterpoint to Parsifal)
and the protagonist share the same depths.Waltraud Meier was
a Super-Kundry at that time.She mantains high notes at
maximum(except in "und...Lachte!..." top C,act II).In case you are
a Meier fan,hurry yourself to buy this CD:she "eletrocutates"
the listener.Who can deny sex to her Kundry,excepting
Parsifal?Some weakness here is brass section in the orchestra
(lack a first class principal trumpet) but somehow it didn't
pull down merits of the ensemble(audible harps,efficient
strings).I spent many years hearing distincts Parsifals
(Melchior,Hoffman,Domingo,Jerusalem,...}but I believe that
a so special character asks to a more unusual performer both
voice,dramatical,musical,...I found the ideal Parsifal here
and I woul like to confess:many portions of this music by
others directors makes similar to a plastic chicken after
I listen to this recording."

Fantastic performance

KC | London, England | 11/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this set. It is a wonderful performance. Goodall as usual is focused and dedicated to maintaining Wagner's score markings. It is a solemn and spiritual rendering of this sublime opera. Meier is utterly amazing. She hits those high notes with lazer like precision and knocks ones socks off. I wonder why this set isn't better known. The performers are first class. I prefer this performance to Karajans. The Parsifal is far more secure.



Buy it you won't be disappointed. It is four hours and forty five minutes of bliss."