Metropolitan Opera Broadcast of Wagner's PARSIFAL Screens at Town Hall Theater Today

It took him 25 years to complete, and it would be his last opera.

Based on a 13th-century epic poem, Wagner's epic, Parsifal, tells the story of the Arthurian knight and his quest for the Holy Grail. Its themes are hope, discovery and rebirth - themes that perfectly suit the arrival of springtime.

Francois Girard's new vision for Wagner's final masterpiece reveals the infinite layers of this transcendent opera. Jonas Kaufmann stars in the title role of the wayward youth on a quest for wisdom, compassion, and reconciliation. He's joined by an all-star cast including René Pape as the noble Gurnemanz.

Vocally, the Met could not have assembled a better cast. The Huffington Post writes: "The German tenor Jonas Kaufmann delivers a brilliant performance as Parsifal, subtly transforming the "pure fool" who wanders into the forest of Knights of the Holy Grail into their unlikely savior."

The 5 ½-hour broadcast begins at noon today, March 2, at Middlebury's Town Hall Theater. Tickets are $24/$10 student, and may be purchased at 802 382-9222, www.townhalltheater.org, at the THT Box Office (Mon-Sat, noon-5 pm) and at the door.

Pictured: German tenor Jonas Kaufmann takes on the title role in Wagner's Parsifal, broadcast on Saturday, March 2 at Middlebury's Town Hall Theater.

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