Description:

Jon Vickers delivers a Parsifal of rare emotional and physical magnitude. His stentorian voice and monumental stage presence coalesce into a portrayal that is at once mythic in stature and deeply human. The raw anguish he unleashes in the second act verges on the overwhelming, grounding the opera’s metaphysical weight in visceral reality.

Nadine Denize, as Kundry, brings a lush mezzo-soprano that resonates most fully in the rich center of her voice. While the upper reaches pose occasional challenges, her performance is marked by sincerity and dramatic commitment. She meets the intensity of Vickers’ Parsifal head-on, holding her own against his towering energy.

Kurt Moll lends a noble gravitas to Gurnemanz, though his delivery can feel somewhat reserved. Theo Adam, by contrast, brings impressive force and urgency to Amfortas, shaping a figure whose torment is palpable without tipping into excess.

In Stereo

OD 10392-4