Parsifal - Susanne Kennedy, Markus Selg, Yi-Chen Lin - Vienna Festival 2026

Richard Wagner’s final composition leads us straight into the centre of the fellowship around the Holy Grail – a community in deep crisis. The knights of the grail are awaiting the ‘fool enlightened by compassion’ who is supposed to redeem them – and find him in young Parsifal. With a cast of over a hundred persons, Wagner’s composition was intended as a ‘festival play for the consecration of the stage’ – he himself wanted it considered a sacred act. The German director Susanne Kennedy and the artist Markus Selg transport this intention into the present day and lead the audience into a world of both archaic and futuristic aesthetics, of religious symbols and AI-generated images. Inspired by Christian motifs, Buddhist teachings and Hindu thought, they create a ritual that seeks out spiritual planes beyond the veils of the digital and material world.

Recommended for ages 14+

INTRODUCTION:

15 June 2026, before the premiere (starting 5.15pm)
19 June 2026, before the performance (starting 5.15pm)

Language: German with German and English surtitles
Duration: 5 hours 20 min, incl. 2 intermissions

programa

Parsifal

Susanne Kennedy & Markus Selg

Yi-Chen Lin

von Richard Wagner