大象传媒

Act I

Near the sanctuary of the Holy Grail, the old knight Gurnemanz and two sentries wake and perform their morning prayers, while other knights prepare a bath for their ailing ruler Amfortas, who suffers from an incurable wound. Suddenly, Kundry鈥攁 mysterious, ageless woman who serves as the Grail鈥檚 messenger鈥攁ppears. She has brought medicine for Amfortas. The knights carry in the king. He reflects on a prophecy that speaks of his salvation by a 鈥減ure fool, enlightened by compassion,鈥� then is borne off. When the sentries ask about Klingsor, a sorcerer who is trying to destroy the knights of the Grail, Gurnemanz tells the story of Amfortas鈥檚 wound: The Holy Grail鈥攖he cup from which Christ drank at the Last Supper鈥攁nd the Spear that pierced his body on the cross were given into the care of Titurel, Amfortas鈥檚 father, who assembled a company of knights to guard the relics. Klingsor, wishing to join the brotherhood, tried to overcome his sinful thoughts by castrating himself, but the brotherhood rejected him. Seeking vengeance, he built a castle across the mountains with a magic garden full of alluring maidens to entrap the knights. Amfortas set out to defeat Klingsor, but a terribly beautiful woman seduced him. Klingsor stole the Holy Spear from Amfortas and used it to stab him. The wound can only be healed by the innocent youth of which the prophecy has spoken. Suddenly, a swan plunges to the ground, struck dead by an arrow. The knights drag in a young man, who boasts of his archery skills. He is ashamed when Gurnemanz rebukes him, but he cannot explain his violent act or even state his name. All he remembers is his mother, Herzeleide, or 鈥淗eart鈥檚 Sorrow.鈥� Kundry tells the youth鈥檚 history: His father died in battle, and his mother reared the boy in a forest, but now she too is dead. Gurnemanz leads the nameless youth to the banquet of the Grail, wondering if he may be the prophecy鈥檚 fulfillment.

The knights assemble. Titurel bids Amfortas uncover the Grail to give strength to the brotherhood, but Amfortas refuses: The sight of the chalice increases his anguish. Titurel orders the sentries to proceed, and the chalice casts its glow about the hall. The nameless youth watches in astonishment but understands nothing. The ceremony ended, Gurnemanz, disappointed and angry, drives him away as an unseen voice reiterates the prophecy.

听

Act II

At his bewitched fortress, Klingsor, the necromancer, summons Kundry鈥攚ho, under his spell, is forced to lead a double existence鈥攁nd orders her to seduce the young fool. Having secured the Spear, Klingsor now seeks to destroy the youth, whom he knows can save the knights of the Grail. Hoping for redemption from her torment, Kundry protests in vain.

The nameless youth enters Klingsor鈥檚 enchanted garden. Flower maidens beg for his love, but he resists them. The girls withdraw as Kundry, transformed into an entrancing young woman, appears and addresses him by his name鈥擯arsifal. He realizes that his mother once called him so in a dream. Kundry begins her seduction by revealing memories of Parsifal鈥檚 childhood and finally kisses him. Parsifal suddenly feels Amfortas鈥檚 pain and understands compassion: He realizes that it was Kundry who brought about Amfortas鈥檚 downfall and that it is his mission to save the brotherhood of the Grail. Astonished at his transformation, Kundry tries to arouse Parsifal鈥檚 pity: She tells him of the curse that condemns her to lead an unending life of constantly alternating rebirths ever since she laughed at Christ on the cross. But Parsifal resists her. She curses him to wander hopelessly in search of Amfortas and the Grail and calls on Klingsor for help. The magician appears and hurls the Holy Spear at Parsifal, who miraculously catches it, causing Klingsor鈥檚 realm to perish.

听

Act III

Gurnemanz, now very old and living as a hermit near the Grail鈥檚 sanctuary, finds the penitent Kundry and awakes her from a deathlike sleep. An unknown knight approaches, and Gurnemanz soon recognizes him as Parsifal, bearing the Holy Spear. Parsifal describes his years of wandering, trying to find his way back to Amfortas and the Grail. Gurnemanz tells him that he has come at the right time: Amfortas, longing for death, has refused to uncover the Grail. The brotherhood is suffering, and Titurel has died. Kundry washes Parsifal鈥檚 feet, and Gurnemanz blesses him and proclaims him king. As his first task, Parsifal baptizes Kundry. He is struck by the beauty of nature around them, and Gurnemanz explains that this is the spell of Good Friday. The distant tolling of bells announces the funeral of Titurel, and the three make their way to the sanctuary.

Knights carry the Grail, Amfortas, and Titurel鈥檚 coffin before the assembly. Amfortas is unable to perform the rite. He begs the knights to kill him and thus end his anguish鈥攚hen suddenly Parsifal appears. He touches Amfortas鈥檚 side with the Spear and heals the wound. Uncovering the Grail, he accepts the homage of the knights as their redeemer and king and blesses them. The reunion of the Grail and Spear has enlightened and rejuvenated the community.