‘Parsifal-Wagner’ Opera Live at Theatre Godrej NCPA

‘Parsifal-Wagner’ Opera Live at Theatre Godrej NCPA

EFT Report, Mumbai: In a continuing bid to get the best international programming to the NCPA, a tie-up with New York’s prestigious Metropolitan Opera, brings high-quality screenings of live opera playing at the MET. It’s the next best thing to being there.

Parsifal is an opera in three acts by Richard Wagner. It is loosely based on Wolfram von Eschenbach`s Parzival, the 13th century epic poem of the Arthurian knight Parzival (Percival) and his quest for the Holy Grail, as well as on Chrétien de Troyes` Perceval, the Story of the Grail.

Wagner first conceived the work in April 1857 but it was not finished until twenty-five years later. It was to be Wagner`s last completed opera and in composing it he took advantage of the particular acoustics of his Bayreuth Festspielhaus. Wagner preferred to describe Parsifal not as an opera, but as ‘a festival play for the consecration of the stage``. At Bayreuth a tradition has arisen that there is no applause after the first act of the opera.

The story of Parsifal is that of an innocent who finds wisdom, of how a ``wild child`` unwittingly invades the sacred precincts of the grail, fulfilling a prophecy that only such a one can save the grail`s protectors from a curse fallen upon them. Richard Wagner`s last opera has remained controversial since its first performance for its unique, and, for some, unsavory blending of religious and erotic themes and imagery. Jonas Kaufmann stars in the title role of the innocent who finds wisdom in François Girard`s new vision for Wagner`s final.

Date & Time: March 16–17, 2013; 3 pm

Venue: Dance Theatre Godrej: NCPA, Nariman Point, NCPA Marg, Mumbai

Tickets: Rs 500

Genre: Opera, Screening