Parsifal, the hero in Wagner’s final opera of the same name
Sunday, March 3 at 1 p.m. at the Orcas Center
Star tenor Jonas Kaufmann sings the title role in Wagner’s final masterpiece Parsifal, the deeply meditative opera about sin, redemption, pain, and healing, streaming live from the Met in HD at Orcas Center on Sunday, March 3 at 1:00 pm.
Acclaimed French Canadian director François Girard in his Met debut, has successfully transformed the opera from a faux-Christian rite into a timeless story about a beleaguered community that is held together—barely—by a sacred ritual that is itself under threat. In Wagner’s libretto, the Holy Grail is protected by an order of knights. Their leader, Amfortas, suffers horribly from a wound that will not heal, and can be cured only by a holy fool, Parsifal, who is “enlightened by compassion.”
Arresting, consistently absorbing stage pictures expertly follow the mournful flow of this epic, while a powerhouse cast of singers and the Met Orchestra under the sure direction of Daniele Gatti ensure that the evening has both gravity and momentum.
The extraordinary cast of Wagnerians assembled includes German bass René Pape as the wise knight Gurnemanz; Swedish soprano Katarina Dalayman as the wayward temptress Kundry; Swedish baritone Peter Mattei as the wounded king Amfortas; and Russian bass-baritone Evgeny Nikitin as the evil wizard Klingsor. Italian maestro Daniele Gatti conducts Wagner’s powerful and complex score. American bass-baritone Eric Owens hosts the transmission and conducts backstage interviews with the stars.
“The Met has assembled about the best Parsifal cast available today… Kaufmann is in his glory… Handsome and limber, he is a natural onstage. The baritonal colorings of his sound, his clarion top notes, the blend of virility and tenderness in his singing, his refined musicianship — all these strengths come together in his distinctive Parsifal.” The New York Times
“A Parsifal to treasure elevated to the highest musical level by the solemnity and sweep of Daniele Gatti’s conducting and the dedication of a dream cast of singing actors.” Associated Press
Tickets for Parsifal from The Met: Live in HD are $18 for adults, $13 students, $2 off for Orcas Center members, and may be purchased at www.orcascenter.org or by calling 376-2281 ext. 1 or visiting the Orcas Center Box Office open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from noon – 4 pm.
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