The whole production presents a formidable challenge to any opera house contemplating an alternative staging.

It makes for fascinating viewing...Audi wisely chooses to keep his narrative loose and suggestive, emphasising the piece’s affinity as much to Wagner’s Tristan as to Parsifal...The detailed, virtuoso playing of the orchestra and Marc Albrecht’s clear-sighted but impassioned conducting need fear no comparison with the best audio-only versions. A very impressive achievement all round.

The performances are compelling and the Netherlands Philharmonic plays superbly under Marc Albrecht, and the chorus fully lives up to its reputation as one of the outstanding operatic choruses of the day. In sum, here is a filmed performance that will merit repeated viewings.

The whole cast, orchestra and chorus are outstanding