Home > Parsifal Wagner, R. (1813-1883) Parsifal Composed 1865-1882. First performed July 26, 1882. Libretto by the composer (in German). A Summary of “Parsifal” Act 1 In the Middle Ages, in the castle of Monsalvat, the lord of a castle, Titurel, and Knights of the Holy Grail, protect the Grail and the Holy Spear. Kundry, she is cursed, because she ridiculed Christ. Kundry is never able to die. The lord of the castle, Titurel, finds her, and takes her to his castle. A dark magician, Klingsor, visits Titurel to join the Knights of the Holy Grail. But, Titurel refuses his request. So, Klingsor makes beautiful women to seduce the Knights. Titurel’s son, Amfortas goes to fight Klingsor. Klingsor casts his magic on Kundry, and Kundry seduces Amfortas, and she steals the Holy Spear. Kundry injures him on his side with the Holy Spear, and his wound never recovers. Gurnemanz, the eldest Knight of the Holy Grail, tells Amfortas that he can be helped by “the pure fool.” A youth appears in the forest. Kundry tells him that his mother died, so he is surprised. Gurnemanz takes him to the castle. Act 2 The youth goes to fight Klingsor. Klingsor makes Kundry seduce him. Kundry cries his name, Parsifal, and she kisses him. But, Parsifal pushes her back. Klingsor appears and throws the Holy Spear at Parsifal. But, the Spear stops in midair. When Parsifal seizes the Spear, and makes the sign of the cross, Klingsor’s castle collapses. Act 3 After some time, Titurel dies, but his son, Amfortas, continues to suffer from his wound. Parsifal appears with the Holy Spear. He touches Amfortas’ injury with the Spear, and heals him. And, when Parsifal holds up the Holy Grail, a white dove descends to Parsifal. When Kundry sees this scene, she is released from her curse. A Comment on “Parsifal” Richard Wagner composed 10 operas excluding when he was a study. All 10 operas are outstanding. If he composed only one of them, his name would have been noted in history. This opera, “Parsifal” is his last opera. This is the most difficult opera to understand, but this is the greatest opera. If you are interested in opera, and you have an opportunity to see one of Wagner’s operas, you must not miss this opera. “Parsifal” will never let you down. Wagner named “Parsifal” not opera, but “A Festival Play for the Consecration of the Stage.” I think that “Parsifal” is not an opera, but appears to be an oratorio, that is to say, that is strictly a concert piece. People who listen to this “opera”, will have a divine experience. Actually, this opera story is very simple. That is, a pure youth, Parsifal, takes the Holy Spear back from the dark magician, Klingsor. But, the characters in this opera have respective complicated backgrounds. So, you can deeply ponder this opera. If you feel this opera is too difficult, I recommend you to listen to the prelude in Act 1 over and over again. There are some significant “Leitmotiv” in this prelude. You can understand this difficult music, and you would gradually come under the spell of this beautiful music. So, please listen to the prelude carefully. Besides, I heard that Claude Debussy who is a famous French composer, also praised this “Parsifal” music very much. Gluck, C. W. (1714-1787) 　- Orpheus and Eurydice Mozart, W. A. (1756-1791) 　- The Marriage of Figaro 　- Don Giovanni 　- Cosi fan tutte 　- The Magic Flute Beethoven, L. v. (1770-1827) 　- Fidelio Weber, C. M. v. (1786-1826) 　- The Magic Bullets Rossini, G. (1792-1868) 　- The Barber of Seville Donizetti, G. (1797-1848) 　- The Elixir of Love Verdi, G. (1813-1901) 　- Macbeth 　- Rigoletto 　- Il trovatore 　- La Traviata 　- Un ballo in maschera 　- Don Carlo 　- Aida 　- Otello 　- Falstaff Wagner, R. (1813-1883) 　- The Flying Dutchman 　- Tannhauser 　- Lohengrin 　- Tristan und Isolde 　- Die Meistersinger von Nuernberg 　- The Rhinegold 　- Die Walkure 　- Siegfried 　- Twilight of the Gods 　- Parsifal Offenbach, J. (1819-1880) 　- The Tales of Hoffmann Strauss, J. (1825-1899) 　- Die Fledermaus (The Bat) Bizet, G. (1838-1875) 　- Carmen Tchaikovsky, P. J. (1840-1893) 　- Eugene Onegin Massenet, J. (1842-1912) 　- Werther Humperdinck, E. (1854-1921) 　- Hansel and Gretel Puccini, G. (1858-1924) 　- La Boheme 　- Tosca 　- Madama Butterfly 　- Turandot Leoncavallo, R. (1858-1919) 　- Pagliacci Mascagni, P. (1863-1945) 　- Cavalleria Rusticana Debussy, C. (1862-1918) 　- Pelleas et Melisande Strauss, R. (1864-1949) 　- Salome 　- The Cavalier of the Rose Copyright (C) 2005-2017 Yusuke Kamiki. All Rights Reserved.