Parsifal (ROH)

[Flosshilde]

Grauniad raves - "sublime performance"

This comment after the review gives a very interesting view of the production, which seemed to be totally convincing for commenter -

This production made one think about the nature of the Grail, and Brotherhood's special devotion to it, and their rituals and how it impacted on their members, from Tinturel through Amfortas and onwards to Parsifal himself.
There is a portrayal of the Christ-like figure - trapped in the bounds of the Brotherhood (the cage as an outward physical symbol of this) as a perpetual child, and subjected to recurrent ritual wounding, only capable of developing into the crucified Christ (seen briefly in Act III) when the Brotherhood abandoned their rituals, and ultimately released by Parsifal from the confines of the Brotherhood, the resurrected Christ now freed to act as redeemer for the world and not just the closed community of the Brotherhood.

The moment of grace is in the final bars - the darkness of the Brotherhood and its rituals, its selfish harbouring of the Christ figure away from the wider world, is finally purged by Parsifal and the Christ figure is freed from his confines and is risen, the tomb shown empty, the stage finally filled with cleansing white light. So I would say that the production rather than being stripped of Christian meaning, actually conveys an intensely strong message of Christian forgiveness encompassing even that most fallen woman, Kundry.

[underthecountertenor]

Having read Richard Tarleton's insightful review and the excellent write-ups in the Guardian and FT, I am greatly looking forward to what looks set to be a very involving evening. Hoping for a good night's sleep on Wednesday in preparation! Thanks Richard et al.

[Prommer]

'For knights, read grey-suited blood brothers who prepare for terrorist missions by “cleansing” themselves in a ritual that smells of child abuse. The ceremonial scarring of a loin-clothed boy may upset the squeamish but, like so much in this performance, the imagery is fresh without seeming gratuitous': so says the FT. That puts me back in my suburban box! I hadn't realised that to react against this representation makes one 'squeamish'. Need to grow up, clearly, and 'get real'.

[Dave2002]

If you do want to go, you could try queuing for day tickets. There are 57 seats that go on sale at 10 am on the day of the performance. These are usually very reasonably priced.

Are they in the amphitheatre or anywhere? Are the sales one per person? Which would mean that couples both have to go in to queue up. Also, how long are the queues - do you have to get there at 6am, 9am, or is 9.45am good enough?

[Stephen Smith]

This might help (or one of the other sections on the blog site). Intermezzo is very knowledgeable as to the ways of the RoH

http://intermezzo.typepad.com/intermezzo/faqs_the_roh_wont_tell_yo.html

Never done it, but IIRC its one person in the queue, one ticket.....

[Dave2002]

Stephen

Thanks. I've been caught out because of a sudden or late declared enthusiasm to see this by a friend of mine who doesn't normally go to opera. Is this production going to be completely sold out? If not, then I suppose the half price seats at around £100 might be an option, but it's not going to be worth trying if certain to be a sell out. Will this or a similar production come round again in a while?

[underthecountertenor]

Dave2002: some seats at lowish prices still available for today's performance if you can make it. It's a pretty sold out apart from expensive seats otherwise, but it's worth keeping an eye on the ROH website tickets page, because they do put returns on there. Good luck!

[LHC]

Stephen

Thanks. I've been caught out because of a sudden or late declared enthusiasm to see this by a friend of mine who doesn't normally go to opera. Is this production going to be completely sold out? If not, then I suppose the half price seats at around £100 might be an option, but it's not going to be worth trying if certain to be a sell out. Will this or a similar production come round again in a while?

As others have said, Intermezzo's general guidance is spot on. I have opted for day seats in the past (usually when I have enjoyed a production so much I've wanted to see it again). The seats are at the back of the amphitheatre and Stalls Circle and are usually good value for money. The Box Office will also sell returns, so you may have the option of other seats as well as the day seats.

I have usually started queuing at about 8:00 am and have not previously had problems getting tickets, but it will depend on how popular the opera/production is (on one occasion I arrived at 8 and was first in the queue!). As reviews have been pretty positive and the performances are close to selling out, I imagine demand for day tickets will be higher than normal. It might be worth ringing the box office the day before for advice on when to start queuing.

The production is sure to be revived, albeit the cast and conductor will change. You may also have to wait 2 or 3 seasons before it comes back.

As it is being filmed for the cinema broadcast, I expect a DVD and Blu ray will come out eventually.

[Thropplenoggin]

How likely is it returns will be available on the day? If I can see a cheap(ish) ticket now, should I snap it up rather than waiting?

Do those 57 tickets mentioned above appear online, too?

How is the sound of voices/orchestra in the amphitheatre?

--

UPDATE: I have procured a ticket for the 18th. I appear to be on the roof. Apparently, ear trumpets are provided.

[Stephen Smith]

As to the production coming round again - probably it will - but (and I might be wrong in this general impression) I wonder if the casts for revivals aren't always so good - for a new production it might be the case that a great deal of effort is put into getting the best available / affordable performers (and thinking about it, perhaps they would be more willing to accept engagement where it will get more attention and publicity, and for Pappano?).

As this cast seemed strong on paper (beforehand) and now in performance (i.e. they actually turned up and, fingers crossed, are in good health) I would say, go for it now. I'm lucky enough to have tickets for the 5th December

[Thropplenoggin]

As to the production coming round again - probably it will - but (and I might be wrong in this general impression) I wonder if the casts for revivals aren't always so good - for a new production it might be the case that a great deal of effort is put into getting the best available / affordable performers (and thinking about it, perhaps they would be more willing to accept engagement where it will get more attention and publicity, and for Pappano?).

As this cast seemed strong on paper (beforehand) and now in performance (i.e. they actually turned up and, fingers crossed, are in good health) I would say, go for it now. I'm lucky enough to have tickets for the 5th December

I have now for the 18th. As I've had my eye on this concert all year, I'm glad I did. I was planning to see it at a local cinema - now I won't have to.

[french frank]

I have now for the 18th. As I've had my eye on this concert all year, I'm glad I did. I was planning to see it at a local cinema - now I won't have to.

The OP says it will be on R3 on the 18th, but that looks to be incorrect: coming up on Wednesday 11th, at 4.45pm.

[Richard Tarleton]

The OP says it will be on R3 on the 18th, but that looks to be incorrect: coming up on Wednesday 11th, at 4.45pm.

15 minutes waffle, interviews, synopsis, curtain up at 5.00

[Petrushka]

15 minutes waffle, interviews, synopsis, curtain up at 5.00

At work that day so a non-starter for me unless I record it. It will have to be good to surpass the Gatti/Met Opera performance broadcast last March with a stellar cast and one of the finest Parsifals I've ever heard. Never seen it in the theatre (one of the few mature Wagner operas I've not seen) but heard plenty on CD and radio over the years.

[DracoM]

I was amazingly fortunate to see Kaufmann live at the Met doing Parsifal in Feb, and he was all you say and more. And it was a most original and thought-provoking production too.