Wagner: Parsifal - King, Ludwig, Crass, Stewart, Ridderbusch, Nienstedt, Mödl, Silja, Dernesch, Moll; Boulez. Bayreuth, 1967
$18.95
Description:
Christa Ludwig delivers a Kundry of extraordinary range—fierce, tender, sultry, and fragile, all underpinned by flawless vocalism. James King brings a virile tenor to the title role, cementing his place among its finest interpreters. Franz Crass lends stately dignity to Gurnemanz’s monologues, while Thomas Stewart nearly steals the show with an anguished, richly sung Amfortas.
As was often the case in Bayreuth during the 1960s, the smaller roles are filled with luxury casting, including Karl Ridderbusch as Titurel, Anja Silja and Helga Dernesch as flowermaidens, Kurt Moll as a Knight, and Martha Mödl in the Alto solo at the end of Act I. Pierre Boulez favors a brisker tempo than some of his contemporaries, though his pacing here feels more natural than in later seasons.
In Mono
OD 11642-4
