Because of what
some might call indecent haste by the production company (who
requested that Music Web should review these discs urgently) I
have had less than two days to consider this recording. A full
review of the performance from which it was made however, can
be found in Seen
and Heard which allows me to concentrate on the set's technical
aspects.
The first thing
to say about these discs (following the BBC's fiasco with Die
Walküre on Monday) is that it is very pleasant
indeed to find a government funded organisation getting something
right for once, because the entire recording is marvellous. The
picture quality is excellent throughout and is matched by sound
which is comparable to the very best DVD Audio recordings in my
opinion. All in all (and appropriately too, considering the subject
matter) the Holy Grail of the hi-fi buff, the true replication
of a live performance, is so fully realised here that this is
a recording to treasure, even by confirmed non-Wagnerites. White
goods stores and hi-fi shops alike should buy it as a demonstrator;
their equipment sales would rocket as a result.
The discs are packed
with bonus information. There are interviews with the performers
and with the director and her assistant set designers, all of
which are extremely helpful in explaining the production's values
and intentions. It is to be hoped that other recording companies
will follow this trend since it beats the socks off the minimalist
booklet notes included with many opera DVDs these days.
The set's biggest
asset by far though, is the inclusion of subtitles in a veritable
babel of languages. I had great fun playing with this feature
and it helped my Bulgarian no end. Thoroughly recommended.
Bill
Kenny
Parsifal: Hans-Peter Ringmann (tenor)
Two
discs [277' 45"]
