23 Oct-6 Nov 2004. Conducted by Michail Jurowski, directed by Harry Kupfer, with Torsten Kerl, Lioba Braun, Albert Dohmen, Josef Kapellmann.

The Carlo Felice theatre in Genoa inaugurates its season with Parsifal (23 Oct-6 Nov). Richard Wagners last opera represents the culmination of the composers art and is a synthesis of his philosophical, literary, religious, and above all, musical concepts. Claude Debussy called it "one of the most beautiful sonorous moments that has been elevated to the glory of music". Italy influenced the composition of this opera; during a stay at Ravello, Wagner had the inspiration for the decadent and seductive flower maiden scene, and it was in Palermo, between the citys architectonic beauty and the enchantment of the Mediterranean, that the opera was finished on 13 Jan 1883. In Genoa, however, there will not be any Italians the cast is made up entirely of foreigners. All are Wagnerian experts, including the German producer, Harry Kupfer, and the Russian conductor Michail Jurowski. For information www.carlofelice.it, tel. 01053811. Paolo Di Nicola