Above: Thomas Stewart as Amfortas
On April 20th, 1974, I saw Wagner's PARSIFAL for the first time ever. I had heard the opera on two Met broadcasts, and parts of it on recordings, but experiencing it in the theater felt somewhat daunting. My diary entry is surprisingly brief, considering how important this opera eventually became for me:
"At the Met for a matinee of PARSIFAL, my first time seeing this opera.The production is fine. William Steinberg's conducting was very good for the outer acts, but his Act II lacked excitement. Janis Martin as Kundry was great in Act I, but in Act II her highest notes lacked thrust; the more lyrical passages were very well sung. Jess Thomas was uneven, often sounding quite tired. He did have some good stretches, and his portrayal was intelligent and well-acted.
The best portrayals came from the bassos and the baritones. John Macurdy sang very well as Gurnemanz, his voice darkish and strong. It is a very long role, and at times I wish he had been more expressive; he has not sung this role many times as yet, and he will likely find more nuances in the part as time goes by. Thomas Stewart as Amfortas was excellent; his Act III was magnificently done...BRAVO! Morley Meredith was superb as Klingsor, and James Morris impressive as Titurel. The Grail scenes were both very good."
Looking back, Janis Martin - who had begun her Met career in small mezzo-soprano roles - did indeed give some very impressive performances as a soprano as time went on. She was my first Marie in WOZZECK (she had earlier sung Margret) and Sieglinde, and in 1989 she was an exciting Dyer's Wife in FRAU OHNE SCHATTEN.
John Macurdy's Gurnemanz did develop into something truly special - as I thought it would. It was one of his best roles.
~ Oberon