Wagner

Parsifal

Calio, Schröder-Feinen, Adam, Crass, Moll, Nienstedt; Sawallisch
Roma, 1970

Regular price $26.95
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Parsifal

I was initially attracted to this recording of Parsifal for the Kundry of Ursula Schröder-Feinen, an artist that I discovered rather late in my opera game and feel robbed because of it. Her soprano was lean but voluptuous and her Kundry is sultry and mysterious. Timo Calio sings Parsifal with masculine burnished tones. He is quite ideal if slightly wooden. Franz Crass' voice is creamy and luscious as Gurnemanz and his character conveys great warmth. Theo Adam is Amfortas and Kurt Moll is a luxury in the short part of Titurel. Wolfgang Sawallisch leads a surprisingly brisk performance which makes it on to 3 CDs, a true rarity for a recording of Parsifal (the only other I can think of is the Boulez.) "Ich sah das Kind" in particular has a drive to it that I have never heard before, making the climaxes all the more ecstatic.

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5.0 Based on 5 reviews
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David G.✓ Verified Buyer

United States

Overall rating

Beautiful

Exciting, excellent recording of a provocatively fast-paced, dramatic performance. Among the principals, only Calio is ordinary, the others are all stellar, and Schröder-Feinen’s amazing Kundry by itself is worth the price of admission.
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Walter H.✓ Top Reviewer

United States

Overall rating

Walter Hartman

This is a very good recording of Parsifal. There is no weak link and the whole is very satisfying. I was impressed by all but for me the novelties here are Callio, who is very good and Schroeder-Feinen , who is excellent. It is rare to hear soprano Kundry's and it is a great pleasure to hear a Kundry who soars through the Act II finale without strain. The other members of the cast are much better known for their assignments and for me, they are are in great form.
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Martin R.✓ Top Reviewer

Slovenia

Overall rating

Martin Ramor

Electric, dynamic, passionate conducting of Wolfgang Sawalisch. Great singers. Perhaps has Schroeder-Feinen some wobble at the end of Second Act, but what a performer. Calio is powerful but stylish and gentle. Adam, Crass, Moll and Nienstedt are all great in their parts. Audience in enthusiastic. No wonder why. My advice: grab it.
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John Q.✓ Top Reviewer

United Kingdom

Overall rating

John Querns

I saw Ursula Schröder-Feinen sing Elektra in 1977 and then she vanished off my radar, for reasons I now understand, until I discovered by chance that very performance of Elektra on CD. I was attracted to this Parsifal because of the soprano. She sings up a storm in the second act and is thrilling. Franz Crass is another favourite as I love his easy, beautiful sound. I tend to favour faster Parsifal performances - I know it's a generalisation, but when it is too slow for me it can drain the drama away and I think it's possible to have the beauty of the music WITH the drama and not instead of the drama. So Sawallisch is a hit too.Highly recommended.
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Rolf B.✓ Verified Buyer

Germany

Overall rating

Rolf Brunckhorst

fantastic recording, many very rare performances, Schröder - Feinen is brilliant, Theo Adam a dream come true.
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