简介：PlotSummaryfor Parsifal(1982) RichardWagner'slastoperahasremainedcontroversialsinceitsfirstperformanceforitsunique,and,forsome,unsavoryblendingofreligiousanderoticthemesandimagery.BasedononeofthemedievalepicromancesofKingArthurandthesearchfortheholygrail(thechalicetouchedbythelipsofChristatthelastsupper),itrecountsoverthreelongactshowa"wildchild"unwittinglyinvadesthesacredprecinctsofthegrail,fulfillingaprophecythatonlysuchaonecansavethegrail'sprotectorsfromacursefallenuponthem.Interpretersoftheworkhavefoundeverythingfrommysticalrevelationtoproto-fascistpropagandainit.Hans-JurgenSyberberg'sproductiondoesn'tavoideitheraspect,buttriessynthesizethembyseekingtheirrootsinthedividedsoulofWagnerhimself.Theactionunfoldsonacraggylandscapewhichturnsouttobeagiganticenlargementofthecomposer'sdeathmask,amongdeliberatelytattytheatricaldevices:puppets,scalemodels,magic-lanternprojections.Theeponymousheroissungbythespecifiedtenorvoice(ReinerGoldberg)butmimedonscreenbyamaleandafemaleperformeralternately,reflectingwhatthedirectortakestobethecreator'sownsexualconflicts.Syberberg'spacing,dictatedbythemajesticpaceofWagner'sscore,isslow,butenlivenedbyconstantsubtleshiftsinpointofview,andmemorableperformancesbyactressEdithCleverasthevillainess/heroineKundry(sungbyYvonneMinton),orchestraconductorArminJordanastheremorsefulknightAmfortas(sungbyWolfgangSchoene),andRobertLloyd(thefaithfulretainerGurnemanz). SummarywrittenbyRogerDowney…