Ever since the world premiere of Parsifal at Bayreuth on 26th July 1882, the meaning of Richard Wagner's last opera has been widely discussed. Nikolaus Lehnhoff's visionary staging of this emotionally charged opera reveals a masterpiece of existential drama about human existence. Christopher Ventris and Waltraud Meier lead an inspired cast in a high definition recording in true surround sound. Press Reviews
"It is by a long way the most thoughtful, positive and penetrating view of Parsifal that I have encountered." (The Times)

"Nikolaus Lehnhoff's production of Parsifal was staged by ENO in 1999. It has since travelled the world and here comes from last year's Baden-Baden Festival. It's a provocative but effective interpretation, in which the Knights of the Grail are struggling to hang on to life in a post-apocalyptic world (a symbolic meteorite dominates the set in Act I). It's a grim vision, but one that works with the established plot; and Lehnhoff's final suggestion of Parsifal leading the others on to a new life without the organised religion that has so patently failed them is inspiring in these over-zealous times. It would be hard to assemble a better cast today." (BBC Music Magazine)
"This is a fascinating interpretation of the Parsifal legend. Nikolaus Lehnhoff's production may be known to English readers from ENO. In Lehnhoff's eyes, 'Wagner's music mercilessly tells of total loneliness, of living in an empty world stripped of all its former meaning'. The Knights of the Holy Grail 'have over time lost sight of their roots'; most tellingly perhaps, Lehnhoff tells us that, 'Parsifal is an endgame in the wasteland'...Well worth watching and listening. This is an interesting take on one of the greatest dramas ever written." (Musicweb International) Cast
Christopher Ventris (Parsifal)
Waltraud Meier (Kundry)
Matti Salminen (Gurnemanz)
Thomas Hampson (Amfortas)
Tom Fox (Klingsor)
Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester; Kent Nagano

Production
Company: Baden-Baden Festspielhaus
Stage Director: Nikolaus Lehnhoff

Disc Information
Catalogue Number: OA0915D
Date of Performance: 2004
Running Time: 317 minutes
Sound: DTS Surround; LPCM Stereo
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic
Subtitles: EN, FR, DE, ES, IT
Label: Opus Arte, ISBN13: B0007X9T70 ISBN10: B0007X9T70 Material Type: dvd