Parsifal - Met Blu-Ray

[Oreb]

Hard to get more progressive than this (well, Tristan und Isolde, maybe, but it's a close call) so I'm posting on the front page.

Just watched the blu-ray of the Kaufmann-starring production from last year. I saw this at the cinema at the time, and I'm pleased to say it's lost none of its impact.

If you're curious about Wagner, this is a magnificent starting point: the best DVD production of (IMO) his finest opera.

[Dan Marsh]

I have this on order!

[kenneth8446]

Contrary to the last two Met productions of Parsifal, both of which I was lucky to see live, this is a co-production with two other companies, one of which is the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto, so I will wait and see it a little closer to home. From all reports it is a tremendous production and Kaufmann is ideal for the part. I should pick it up.

Kaufmann is becoming the Wagner tenor of our times but I hope he stays clear of the heavier parts for a while. I saw his Siegmund at the Met and her was terrific and he visually is the character as well which we all know can be a stretch with the heftier tenors. He is an insightful lieder singer as well. I saw him perform Die Shone Mullerin last year and he was brilliant. Let's hope he sticks to Parsifal, Lohengrin and Siegmund and the like. I wouldn't want him to damage that wonderful voice. Thanks for reminding us that the production is out on disc.

[Oreb]

I have this on order!

Let me know what you think

[chalkpie]

The Ring is in my car right now. Siegfried act II. Janowski/Dresden Staatskapelle.

[Baribrotzer]

I had a parallel experience to the OP's: seeing a theatrical telecast of John C. Adams's Doctor Atomic from the Met four or five years ago, then buying the DVD. In fact, I was just watching and listening to it last night - powerful stuff, although a bit much for one sitting. And, although I realize that informed opinion has recognized Adams as a tenth-rate hack, I still enjoy quite a bit of his music.

[Oreb]

I realize that informed opinion has recognized Adams as a tenth-rate hack, I still enjoy quite a bit of his music.

I'm so far out of the circle of Kool Kids that I didn't realize the tide had turned on Adams

The Gospel According to the Other Mary is, IMUO (in my uninformed opinion) pretty wonderful and very substantial - even if it does tend to give me flashbacks to my Liberation Theology drenched 1980s...

[Baribrotzer]

I'm so far out of the circle of Kool Kids that I didn't realize the tide had turned on Adams...

I think that has probably been the case ever since he became a success - a full-time professional classical composer who does not currently teach, write for the movies, or work any other day job. And I do not think that those two occurrences - his professional success and his disparagement by the truly knowledgeable critics - are unconnected. Indeed, I think the second follows as a pretty direct result of the first.

[Oreb]

I do not think that those two occurrences - his professional success and his disparagement by the truly knowledgeable critics - are unconnected.

Gee - they sound like prog fans