Parsifal

[Renfield]

Someone here at GMG offered suggestions to newcomers regarding what parts of Parsifal a newbie could skip until he was more familiar with the music and libretto.

If that someone reads this post, would you please repeat those suggestions again as I am hoping to conquer Parsifal this attempt.  I remember we are supposed to skip (only for the timebeing) the part about G----------- at the beginning of the opera.

Well, I've listened to the first act of Parsifal, so far: but the whole act. And I've had it for months, and am still "digesting" the experience.

But extracting material from an act feels a bit pointless to me: it would be like listening to "Prsfl".

[Anne]

 
But extracting material from an act feels a bit pointless to me: it would be like  listening to "Prsfl".   

Point well expressed and taken.  LOL  Very good!

[Michel]

Although I have heard it quite a few times, I need to bone up on the passages in between the ones I particularly like.....that constitutes a fair bit of music. I used to feel this way about Walkure, but broke the barrier with it simply by spending enough time with it.

Mike

Surely no need to do that - whats wrong with another virginal type listening experience in the Opera House again? They are easy to follow, with surtitles of course.

[knight66]

Paul, I have tried it both ways, somehow it works with Verdi, but I get a lot more out of Wagner if I get to grips with it beforehand. I think the first time I heard Tristan was live, and I obsessed over it, but Parsifal seems a tougher nut to crack.

Mike

[Michel]

I had no idea you had tried it both ways, I shall tell Nigel.

[Michel]

Also today I have booked for Lohengrin in Barcelona in March.

Thanks for the ticket.

[Michel]

That is $430 US! He's good, but he's not that good.

It is the principle. Remember Larry I am young and have never seen any of the old greats. You can't put a price on such things.

[knight66]

I had no idea you had tried it both ways, I shall tell Nigel.

[knight66]

Thanks for the ticket.

I never could deny you anything.

Mike

[uffeviking]

Also today I have booked for Lohengrin in Barcelona in March.
Mike

Don't tell me, Mike, you booked for a Calixto Bieito directed performance? I know dear Jane is a broad-minded adult, but Paul is still a young, chaste lad. Don't ruin his innocence! 

[knight66]

Lis, Neither of them will be with me, I am defecting with a friend from Edinburgh. He has a strong stomach and, like me, can raise an eyebrow to good effect.

I cannot get the site to work to tell me the cast. There are two casts and as this will be the opening night of the production; I know we get the A team. All will be revealed IDC.

Mike

[bhodges]

Here you go!  Looks like a pretty great evening, to me...

Conductor: Bernard Haitink
Amfortas: Falk Struckmann
Titurel: Gwynne Howell
Gurnemanz: John Tomlinson
Klingsor: Willard W. White
Parsifal: Christopher Ventris
Kundry: Petra Lang
First Knight: tba
Second Knight: Krzysztof Szumanski*

* Jette Parker Young Artist

--Bruce

[knight66]

Bruce, Thanks...Petra Lang as Kundry ought to be a particular treat, she really throws herself into any part.

I cannot believe Gwynne Howell is still singing. I have been seeing him on platforms since I was a teenager and he looked middle aged then. He had a special quality in concert of imitating a sack of potatoes. He restrained himself from any visible expression most manfully. Perhaps he will be more animated in opera, I assume someone coaxes him to move across the stage somewhat.

Mike

[Michel]

Don't tell me, Mike, you booked for a Calixto Bieito directed performance? I know dear Jane is a broad-minded adult, but Paul is still a young, chaste lad. Don't ruin his innocence! 

Its why I love Parsifal!

[Michel]

Here you go!  Looks like a pretty great evening, to me...

Conductor: Bernard Haitink
Amfortas: Falk Struckmann
Titurel: Gwynne Howell
Gurnemanz: John Tomlinson
Klingsor: Willard W. White
Parsifal: Christopher Ventris
Kundry: Petra Lang
First Knight: tba
Second Knight: Krzysztof Szumanski*

* Jette Parker Young Artist

--Bruce

Yes, quite. I was especially happy Haitink was going to be there, he will nail it and bring out the beautiful sound very well.

Shame is that it starts at 5, so I can't take Mike to a brilliant Thai place that I know he will love.

[knight66]

Paul, We will have to make do with a Fortnum and Mason's hamper for the long interval. Life can be so tough!

Mike

[uffeviking]

Mike, I love your comment on Howell! (You meanie!) 

But our Dear Bruce did not tell who directed it. Is he afraid you'll cancell your reservation? No, I forgot, Dear Bruce thinks highly of Calixto Bieito. Must be the New York Village climate causing this unusual taste! 

[knight66]

Lis, The director of the Parsifal is Klaus Michael Gruber. Being ignorant, it is a new name to me. I am not sure who is directing the Lohengrin. Might be our contraversial friend who is quite at home in the Liecu.

Mike

[Wendell_E]

I cannot believe Gwynne Howell is still singing. I have been seeing him on platforms since I was a teenager and he looked middle aged then. He had a special quality in concert of imitating a sack of potatoes. He restrained himself from any visible expression most manfully. Perhaps he will be more animated in opera, I assume someone coaxes him to move across the stage somewhat.

He shouldn't have to move at all, since Titurel's supposed to be older than dirt and barely hanging on to life by a thread in act I, and, if Wagner's stage directions are followed (a big "if", I know), we don't actually see him, just hear his voice, "as if coming from a grave".  And in act III he's a corpse.  Sounds like the role was written for Howell.   

[uffeviking]

That explains it!