Wagner : Parsifal. Kaufmann, Mattei, Pape, Gatti.

   in Opera Now (May, 2014)
Francois Girard’s production for the Met is set post-apocalypse in an arid and cracked desert: Acts I and III look almost lunar, while the middle act is a a blood- drenched wasteland. Peter Flaherty’s inventive video designs add movement and atmosphere. Girard aims to move the piece on from its obvious Christian imagery to what he sees as its nihilistic roots; visually, this partially works until someone waves a spear or the Holy Grail and it seems optimistic. It is, nevertheless, a fine-looking production. Daniele Gatti conducts a spacious performance, which sometimes lags, especially in the first act, but is exquisitely played. Jonas Kaufmann’s Parsifal looks and sounds the part and …