Parsifal

Listen: Synopsis for Parsifal

• ACT I

  
  SCENE 1: It is dawn in the forest of Montsalvat where an order of knights guards the Holy Grail, the chalice used at the Last Supper, and which held the blood of Christ at the crucifixion. Gurnemanz, an elder of the knight’s temple, wakes the squires for morning prayers and to prepare for the arrival of Amfortas, the king of the order who is being brought to sooth his unhealable wound. Kundry, a mysterious woman whom the knights treat with suspicion, arrives with a balsam for the king. Amfortas longs for a time when he will be relieved of his intense pain. He reminds the knights of the prophecy: only an innocent fool enlightened by compassion can end his suffering.
  
  Gurnemanz relates the history of the Grail and how Amfortas was once seduced and lost the sacred spear to the sorcerer, Klingsor. The tale is interrupted by a swan that has been pierced by an arrow. Suddenly, the youth who shot the swan enters. Gurnemanz reprimands him for his action, stating that in the land of the Grail animals are sacred. Gurnemanz asks where he comes from, the identity of his father, and the young man’s name, but the youth can only reply that he doesn't know. Kundry explains that he is Parsifal and his mother, Herzeleide, raised him to be ignorant so that he would escape his father’s fate of being killed in battle. Gurnemanz, already hopeful that Parsifal may be the prophesized holy fool, invites him to the Temple to share in the knights' ritual.
  
  SCENE 2: ln the Temple of the Grail, Amfortas is urged by his father Titurel and the knights to uncover the Grail, revealing its radiance and life-giving powers. Amfortas does not want to open the shrine, which causes him unendurable pain, but he relents, and the Grail is uncovered. Amfortas’ wound begins to bleed, and he longs for death. Gurnemanz asks Parsifal what he has just witnessed. When the youth is unable to respond, Gurnemanz says that he is nothing but a fool and drives him out of the Temple.

• ACT II

  
  SCENE 1: Klingsor watches over his domain and, seeing Parsifal approach, summons Kundry, over whom he holds power. He commands her to seduce the unsuspecting youth as she once ensnared Amfortas.
  
  SCENE 2: ln Klingsor's magic garden, flower maidens entice Parsifal but are unsuccessful. Kundry enters, calling Parsifal by name and speaks of his mother’s love for him and how she died from grief when he left her. Kundry consoles the distressed Parsifal, her embrace intended to bring him into her power. As they kiss, Parsifal feels Amfortas’ suffering and is filled with emotion. Seeing his transformation, Kundry seeks redemption. However, Parsifal rejects Kundry and, in a rage, she curses him to wander hopelessly in search of Amfortas and the Grail. She calls upon Klingsor who appears and hurls the sacred spear at Parsifal. The youth miraculously catches the spear, which destroys Klingsor’s power.

• ACT III

  
  SCENE 1: Many years have passed, Gurnemanz, now living as a hermit, finds Kundry half-dead and revives her. A weary knight approaches them. It is Parsifal, condemned to wander endlessly by Kundry’s curse. Gurnemanz tells him about the sad fate of the Knights of the Grail: Titurel is dead, and Amfortas, in agony from his continued suffering, refuses to uncover the Grail. Parsifal blames himself for these misfortunes. Kundry washes his feet and Gurnemanz anoints him as guardian of the Grail. Filled with compassion, Parsifal baptizes Kundry, healing her from her pain.
  
  SCENE 2: ln the Temple of the Grail, the Knights attempt to force Amfortas to preside over the last rites of his father, and once again uncover the grail. Deranged with pain, Amfortas pleads with the knights to kill him and bring his agony to an end. Parsifal enters and touches Amfortas' wound with the spear, healing him instantly. Parsifal and Kundry uncover the Grail and the knights and heavenly choirs extol the healing miracle.