Wagner: Parsifal (Bayreuth, 1981)

There was a new production by Wolfgang Wagner at the Bayreuth Festival nearly every year between 1953 and 2002. After World War II, the long-time festival director, together with his brother Wieland, had defined the aesthetic of the so-called "New Bayreuth", which was characterized by a symbolism and the innovative use of images and light. This production of Parsifal remains faithful to this aesthetic principle and at the same time becomes a celebration of the many great singers who were regulars in Bayreuth at the time: alongside Siegfried Jerusalem in the title role and Bernd Weikl as Amfortas, bass Hans Sotin sings the role of Gurnemanz, a role he performed on the Green Hill almost every summer for 24 years.

Soloists: 

Siegfried Jerusalem (Tenor), Hans Sotin (Bass), Bernd Weikl (Baritone), Matti Salminen (Bass), Leif Roar (Bass), Toni Krämer (Tenor), Heinz Klaus Ecker (Bass), Marga Schiml (Mezzo-Soprano), Hanna Schwarz (Mezzo-Soprano), Helmut Pampuch (Tenor), Martin Egel (Baritone), Carol Richardson (Actor/Singer), Margit Neubauer (Mezzo-Soprano), Norma Sharp (Soprano), Mari Anne Häggander (Soprano)

Ensembles: 

Bayreuth Festival Chorus, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra

Conductor: 

Horst Stein