Opera North returns to Sage Gateshead this month with a performance of Wagner’s latest work, Parsifal.

The performance in the much-loved concert hall takes place on June 18, as part of a tour which also stops in Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham and London. The Leeds-based company’s version of Parsifal is the latest of Opera North’s adaptations of large-scale musical works into performances designed for the concert hall.

Props and costumes will be kept to a minimum, and a 90-piece orchestra will be visible on stage throughout, in an effort to bring the strength of the composer’s score to the forefront of the production.

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Richard Farnes, the conductor of Parsifal, said: “Although the jury is still out on the ultimate meaning of Parsifal, what is indisputable is the overwhelming power and beauty of Wagner’s music, which reaches new heights of expressive intensity in this work. I am thrilled to work with such a terrific cast, many of whom are new to the play, and to return to Opera North’s wonderful chorus and orchestra.”

Considered the most mysterious of Wagner’s operas, Parsifal deals with themes of faith, suffering, temptation, compassion and redemption. Amfortas, ruler of the Grail Kingdom, suffers an incurable wound after losing the sacred spear to the evil wizard Klingsor.

When a prophecy reveals that only a naive young man who has learned compassion can heal Amfortas, Parsifal must embark on a quest to save the Grail community. Brindley Sherratt as Gurnemanz and Toby Spence as Parsifal will debut in this product, joined by Katarina Karnéus as Kundry, Robert Hayward as Amfortas and Derek Welton as Klingsor.

Before singing the title role, Toby Spence said: “Parsifal with Opera North will be my first experience singing one of Wagner’s great tenor roles. The process of its preparation has already been a journey of discovery.

“Along the way, I wondered what Wagner wanted to achieve through his latest stage work. Exploring new music and ideas, of course, but also showing the audience how much understanding and compassion are the cornerstone of good and truth.”

A 10-day run at the Leeds Grand Theater is already underway ahead of the Newcastle show on Saturday June 18. A pre-recorded audio description will be played on mobile devices throughout the tour for those who cannot read subtitles.

For more information and to book tickets, visit the Opera North website.

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