Wagner: Parsifal - King, Jones, Crass, Feldhoff, Nienstedt, Ridderbusch; Stein. Bayreuth, 1969
$16.95
Description:
Gwyneth Jones delivers a gripping portrayal of Kundry, surpassing even her acclaimed performance in the Deutsche Grammophon release from the following year. Under Horst Stein’s spacious and emotionally astute direction, Jones has the room to fully explore the role’s volatility and nuance. Her blood-curdling screams—one of which is included in the sample—are unforgettable, a stark reminder of a time when singers were unafraid to push themselves to the brink for dramatic effect.
James King is an ideal Parsifal: vocally luminous, dramatically committed, and musically sensitive. Franz Crass’s Gurnemanz may lack some of the theatrical edge of other interpreters, but his finely shaded monologues offer deep insight and refinement. The sound quality is excellent, allowing the full power of this ensemble to shine through.
In Mono
OD 11649-4
