Immerse yourself in the legendary performance of Richard Wagner's "Parsifal" with this historic live recording, featuring the incomparable heldentenor Lauritz Melchior. Captured live at the Metropolitan Opera on April 15, 1938, this album is the sole surviving testament to Melchior's electrifying stage presence and vocal prowess in one of Wagner's most profound and mystical operas.
This three-and-a-half-hour journey through Wagner's final masterpiece is a rare opportunity to experience the opera as it was performed in the golden age of opera, with a stellar cast that includes the renowned soprano Kirsten Flagstad and a chorus and orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera conducted by Artur Bodanzky. The album features all three acts of "Parsifal," complete with orchestral preludes and interludes, offering a comprehensive and authentic listening experience.
"Parsifal" is a profound exploration of redemption, compassion, and the power of faith, set against a backdrop of rich orchestral textures and complex characters. Melchior's powerful and nuanced portrayal of the titular knight is a highlight of the recording, showcasing his exceptional vocal range and dramatic intensity. The supporting cast delivers equally impressive performances, bringing Wagner's intricate score to life with precision and passion.
This album is not just a recording; it is a piece of operatic history, preserving the magic of a live performance from one of the most celebrated eras of opera. The meticulous restoration and remastering ensure that the audio quality is as close to the original live experience as possible, allowing listeners to appreciate the full grandeur of Wagner's composition and the artistry of the performers.
Whether you are a seasoned Wagner enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of opera, this live recording of "Parsifal" is an essential addition to your collection. It offers a unique glimpse into the past, showcasing the talents of some of the most revered figures in operatic history and the enduring power of Wagner's music.
Tracks
Parsifal, Act 1: OrchestervorspielRichard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky
Parsifal: He! Ho! Waldhüter ihr,Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky, Emanuel List
Parsifal: Jetzt auf, ihr Knaben! Seht nach dem Bad.Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky, Emanuel List, Louis d'Angelo
Parsifal: Seht dort die wilde Reiterin!Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky, Helen Olheim, Natalie Bodanya, George Cehanovsky, Kirsten Flagstad, Emanuel List
Parsifal: Recht so! - Habt Dank! - Ein wenig Rast.Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky, Friedrich Schorr, Louis d'Angelo, Friedrich List, Kirsten Flagstad
Parsifal: He! Du da!Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky, Giordano Paltrinieri, Kirsten Flagstad, Emanuel List, Karl Laufkoetter
Parsifal: Ja, wenn oft lange sie uns ferne blieb.Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky, Emanuel List, Kirsten Flagstad, Karl Laufkoetter, Giordano Paltrinieri
Parsifal: O, wunden - Wundervoller Speer!Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky, Emanuel List, Giordano Paltrinieri, Natalie Bodanya, Helen Olheim
Parsifal: Titurel, der fromme Held,Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky, Emanuel List
Parsifal: Vor allem nun: Der Speer kehr' uns zurück!Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky, Karl Laufkoetter, Giordano Paltrinieri, Emanuel List, Natalie Bodanya, Helen Olheim, George Cehanovsky, Louis D'An
Parsifal: Gewiß! Im Fluge treff, ich was fliegt!Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky, Lauritz Melchior, Emanuel List, Karl Laufkoetter, Giordano Paltrinieri, Natalie Bodanya, Helen Olheim, George Cehanovsk
Parsifal: Nun sag! Nichts weißt du, was ich dich frage:Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky, Emanuel List, Lauritz Melchior, Kirsten Flagstad
Parsifal: Vom Bade kehrt der König heim;Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky, Emanuel List, Lauritz Melchior
Parsifal: Zum letzten LiebesmahleRichard Wagner, Orchestra and Choir of the Metropolitan Opera, Artur Bodanzky, Chorus
Parsifal: Soll ich den Gral heut noch erschaun und leben?Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky, Norman Cordon, Friedrich Schorr
Parsifal: Durch Mitleid wissend,Richard Wagner, Orchestra and Choir of the Metropolitan Opera, Artur Bodanzky, Chorus, Norman Cordon
Parsifal: Wein und Brot des letzten MahlesRichard Wagner, Orchestra and Choir of the Metropolitan Opera, Artur Bodanzky, Chorus
Parsifal: Was stehst, du noch da?Richard Wagner, Orchestra and Choir of the Metropolitan Opera, Artur Bodanzky, Emanuel List, Chorus
Parsifal, Act 2: OrchestervorspielRichard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf
Parsifal: Die Zeit ist da.-Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, Arnold Gabor, Kirsten Flagstad
Parsifal: Ach! - Ach! Tiefe Nacht!Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, Kirsten Flagstad, Arnold Gabor
Parsifal: Furchtbare Not! So lacht nun der Teufel mein,Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, Kirsten Flagstad, Arnold Gabor
Parsifal: Hier! Hier war das Tosen!Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, Susanne Fischer, Irra Petina, Helen Olheim, Hilda Burke, Thelma Votipka, Doris Doe
Parsifal: Ihr schönen KinderRichard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, Lauritz Melchior, Susanne Fischer, Irra Petina, Helen Olheim, Hilda Burke, Thelma Votipka, Doris Doe
Parsifal: Wie duftet ihr hold!Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, Lauritz Melchior, Susanne Fischer, Irra Petina, Helen Olheim, Hilda Burke, Thelma Votipka, Doris Doe
Parsifal! - Weile!Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, Kirsten Flagstad, Lauritz Melchior, Susanne Fischer, Irra Petina, Helen Olheim, Hilda Burke, Thelma Votipka
Parsifal: Dies alles - Hab ich nun geträumt?Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, Lauritz Melchior, Kirsten Flagstad
Parsifal: Ich sah das Kind an seiner BrustRichard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, Kirsten Flagstad
Parsifal: Wehe! Wehe! Was tat ich?Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, Lauritz Melchior, Kirsten Flagstad
Parsifal: Amfortas! - Die Wunde!Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, Lauritz Melchior
Parsifal: Gelobter Held! Entflieh dem Wahn!Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, Kirsten Flagstad, Lauritz Melchior
Parsifal: Ein Sünder sinkt mir in die Arme!Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, Kirsten Flagstad, Lauritz Melchior
Parsifal: Vergeh, unseliges Weib!Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, Lauritz Melchior, Kirsten Flagstad, Arnold Gabor
Parsifal, Act 3: OrchestervorspielRichard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky
Parsifal: Von dorther kam das Stöhnen.Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky, Kirsten Flagstad, Emanuel List
Parsifal: Wer nahet dort dem heil'gen QuellRichard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky, Emanuel List, Lauritz Melchior
Parsifal: Heil mir, daß ich dich wiederfinde!Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky, Lauritz Melchior, Emanuel List
Parsifal: O Gnade! Höchstes Heil!Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky, Emanuel List
Parsifal: Und ich - Ich bin's der all dies Elend schuf!Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky, Lauritz Melchior, Emanuel List
Parsifal: Gesegnet sei, du Reiner, durch das Reine!Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky, Emanuel List, Lauritz Melchior
Parsifal: Wie dünkt mich doch die Aue heut so schön!Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky, Lauritz Melchior, Emanuel List
Parsifal: Ich sah sie welken,Richard Wagner, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Artur Bodanzky, Lauritz Melchior, Emanuel List
Parsifal: Geleiten wir im bergenden SchreinRichard Wagner, Orchestra and Choir of the Metropolitan Opera, Artur Bodanzky, Chorus
Parsifal: Ja, Wehe! Wehe! Weh' über mich!Richard Wagner, Orchestra and Choir of the Metropolitan Opera, Artur Bodanzky, Friedrich Schorr, Chorus
Parsifal: Nur eine Waffe taugtRichard Wagner, Orchestra and Choir of the Metropolitan Opera, Artur Bodanzky, Lauritz Melchior, Chorus
Parsifal: Nur eine Waffe taugtRichard Wagner, Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, Lauritz Melchior
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