Opera: Parsifal

On the 2nd and the 22nd of April, the repertoire of the Croatian National Theatre will feature Wagner’s opera, Parsifal. It premiered in late March to mark the 150th anniversary of the theatre.

After the premiere of Parsifal, which took place in late March, Wagner’s mysterious piece will be on the theatre’s repertoire twice more, on the 2nd and the 22nd of April. The opera premiered as a tribute to the 150th anniversary of the Croatian National Theatre; it was conducted by maestro Nikša Bareza and directed by Kurt Josef Schildknecht. Scenography was designed by Rudolf Rischer and the costumes were created by Gera Graf, while the leading female role was played by Dubravka Šeparović Mušović. Although she had performed in Wagner’s operas before, this was the most prominent role she had ever played in any of his pieces.

Parsifal is a story of the battle between good and evil, lost desire, despair and redemption; it has its basis in the legend of King Arthur and the quest for the Holy Grail. Interestingly, during the 1920s and 1930s, this opera was not only performed at the Croatian National Theatre, but also in front of the Zagreb cathedral. In addition, renowned Croatian opera divas, such as Mirka Trnina and Dunja Vejzović, who enchanted audiences from stages across the globe, predominantly played the leading role of Kundry from this very opera.

The opera is performed in the original language, with a translation into Croatian and English.