OPERA North’s eagerly awaited staging of Wagner’s sacred festival drama, Parsifal, suffered a double whammy. Conceived for Leeds Town Hall and scuppered by Covid, the postponed production was then snagged by the Town Hall’s planned refurbishment.

The Grand Theatre poses different challenges. Parsifal was last staged here back in 1923, with a smaller pit band. Opera North’s ninety-piece orchestra had to be seen on stage as integral to the music drama. The only downside being that some sound is inevitably lost in the fly tower. Textures, on the other hand, were crystal clear and balance between orchestra and singers excellent.

James Robinson Watson’s Italianate Grand Theatre although not as resonant as Leeds Town Hall, nonetheless has its own unique spatial qualities. These were ingeniously deployed by the conductor Richard Farnes and production director Sam Brown. Sopranos and mezzos of the Opera North Chorus were singing from tier upon tier, as high as the armchair slips beneath the gilded ceiling. The voices floated down as if from Heaven.

Knights of the Holy Grail, aka thirty six tenors and basses of the chorus, sounded awesome from their rows of steps in the (redundant) orchestra pit, but were largely unseen by audience members in the stalls.

In Sam Brown’s compelling theatrical staging, the most indelible images are those of the Knights queuing in their grey fleecy hoodies. Each one touches the Christlike wound of Amfortas and then streaks his face with the blood.

A dream cast is led by tenor Toby Spence as a believable Parsifal, the foolish youth who slays a sacred swan. Through his atonement and healing powers, Parsifal is eventually acclaimed as Lord of the Grail. Katerina Karnéus marvellously conveys Kundry’s transition from temptress to faithful servant of the Grail. Brindley Sherratt commands the stage as the wise Gurnemanz, a veteran Knight. Robert Hayward is an anguished Amfortas, ruler of the realm of the Grail. Klingsor, a magician, is sung by Australian bass-baritone Derek Welton.

Wagner’s transcendent music is exquisitely shaped by Richard Farnes who reveals every wondrous nuance. The bells! Those impossibly deep, tolling Parsifal bells embellish the sublime climax to Act 3.

This Leeds Parsifal 2022 is a revelation, a once in a lifetime experience. So why haven’t Opera North planned to film it for YouTube users?

Parsifal continues at the Grand on 7th & 10th June.

Parsifal on tour includes London’s Royal Festival Hall, minus the theatrical costumes and lighting seen in Leeds.

Geoffrey Mogridge