Richard Wagner - Parsifal - Vickers, Stewart, Hotter - Knappertsbusch 19644CDs - Mono, digitally remastered - 250'05
Orfeo 2007
Thomas Stewart - Amfortas, Heinz Hagenau - Titurel, Hans Hotter - Gurnemanz, Jon Vickers - Parsifal, Gustav Neidlinger - Klingsor, and Anja Silja as Blumenmädchen
Hans Knappertsbusch and the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
This version is similar to that storied 62 version with one major upgrade, John Vickers as Parsifal. Jess Thomas in the 62 isnt bad, in fact, I think he is close to great, but this is Vickers show. He proves once again that he may be the most subtly intense Heldentenor since Melchoir, well deserving of the title passed down from Windgassen. Another unexpected delight, as in 1960, Thomas Stewart takes over as Amfortas. I dont believe he compares with Hotter or London, but his interp is vastly superior than today's Weikl or Hampson.
Hotter is also surprising fine, though there is evidence of his soon-to-occur vocal demise. This was relatviely near to his debacle as Wotan in the Solti cycle so I was surprised at how well he sounded, though his 62 performance(in stereo) is still to be preferred. -- Amazon customer
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