Wagner: Parsifal Act 1 (1951) Knappertsbusch/Bayreuth

Richard Wagner
Parsifal - Act I

Amfortas - George London
Titurel - Arnold van Mill
Gurnemanz - Ludwig Weber
Parsifal - Wolfgang Windgassen
Klingsor - Hermann Uhde
Kundry - Martha Mödl
Altsolo - Ruth Siewert

Hans Knappertbusch, conductor
The Bayreuth Festival Chorus and Orchestra

Recorded on June 30, 1951
at The Festspielhaus, Bayreuth

Much of the little city of Bayreuth, Germany was destroyed by the bombs of WWII, but fortunately the Festspielhaus was still standing. Although damaged, it was used by Allied occupation as a church and entertainment venue by allied troops after the war.

Due to de-Nazification efforts, and the relationship between Hitler and the Wagner family, the festivals were not permitted in the immediate years after the war. By the early 1950s, it became apparent that the festival should return, and Wagner's grandsons were tasked with the effort of bringing it back.

The Festival resumed on June 30, 1951 with the present performance of "Parsifal" under the baton of Knappertsbusch. Not only was it a triumph in terms of the Festival, it is also seen as one of the greatest performances in the entire history of opera, cementing Knappertbusch's reputation as one of history's greatest Wagnerian interpreters.

Issued many times on numerous labels, the present recording has been essential repertoire for any serious collector of Wagner's music. We are delighted to offer it here in a new restoration.

The restoration approach is conservative, relying entirely on the acoustics of the hall, which are quite familiar to lovers of this music. Only modest noise reduction has been used, but listeners may notice the absence of some of its most objectionable artifacts. Otherwise the goal is to leave it untouched with due reverence.

"Parsifal" was Wagner's last opera, and tells a story of healing and redemption. From the opening bars of this performance we are brought into the spiritual realm of its story.

Field acoustic and sonic restoration (2024): Paul Howard - The Yucaipa Studio

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