OPERA

The latest releases reviewed.

WAGNER: PARSI FAL Soloists: Placido Domingo, Waltraud Meier, Falk Struckmann, Ain Anger, Franz-Josef Selig, Wolfgang Bankl. Chor und Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper. Conductor: Christian Thielemann. Deutsche Grammophon 00289 477 6006  *****

In the autumn of his career, Placido Domingo continues to enthral listeners with his artistic integrity. On this recording (recorded live at the Vienna State Opera) his voice is still a thing of wonder, particularly given the difficulty of the role of Parsifal. Allowing for the fact that his diction is somewhat unidiomatic for Wagner, his moving performance here is full of spiritual insight, while Waltraut Meier (another great singer no longer in the bloom of youth) brings great sensitivity and depth to the role of Kundry. The glory of this set, however, is the conducting of Christian Thielemann, who must surely have the most profound understanding of any contemporary conductor for this extraordinary score. These four discs are a fine record of what must have been a memorable evening of music. www.deutschegrammophon.com Colman Morrissey