Parsifal

Act II

In his magic realm, Klingsor summons Kundry. Wandering throughout the world, she has assumed many identities over time and, although she helps the Grail Knights, is also a servant of Klingsor. Now her task is to help him against Parsifal, who is approaching his castle. After Klingsor’s knights are killed by Parsifal, the flowermaidens try to entice and seduce him. They are unsuccessful, but then Kundry suddenly appears in their midst. She is able to captivate Parsifal by telling him the story of his parents’ love. When she kisses him, Parsifal suddenly realizes that it was Kundry who had previously seduced Amfortas, causing him to lose the Spear. Kundry then reveals her story: she has lived for many centuries. After laughing at Jesus on the cross, she was cursed to wander. Since then she has been searching for redemption, which she hopes to attain through love for Parsifal. But he promises her redemption only on the condition that she lead him to Amfortas. Kundry then curses him to never find his way back to Amfortas. Klingsor appears and throws the Spear at Parsifal in order to wound him, as he had once done to the King of the Grail. But the Spear remains in place, hovering over Parsifal’s head. Parsifal seizes the Spear and makes the sign of the cross against the magic realm. Klingsor’s power is broken. Parsifal sets out into the world.

Act III

Many years have passed. The community of the Grail is on the verge of dissolution, and Gurnemanz is living as a hermit in the forest outside the Castle of the Grail. On the morning of Good Friday, Kundry appears in front of his hut. Only one word remains in her life: “Serve.” Then she falls silent. The two are approached by a knight dressed in black. When Gurnemanz demands that he remove his armor on the premises of the Holy Grail, he does so, revealing that he is Parsifal. He is carrying the Holy Spear. Kundry washes his feet, and Gurnemanz, who now recognizes in him the “pure fool enlightened by compassion”, anoints his head. Nature begins to bloom once again as spring arrives. Gurnemanz explains to him that Titurel has since died, as Amfortas has persistently refused to unveil the Grail. Today is the day of Titurel’s burial, and on this occasion the Grail is to be revealed once more to the community. Parsifal, Gurnemanz, and Kundry make their way to the castle.

Titurel is ceremoniously laid out in the hall. When Amfortas once again refuses to unveil the Grail, the community is on the verge of crisis – at this moment Parsifal enters the hall. The Holy Spear, which has now been returned to the community of the Grail, heals Amfortas’s wound. Parsifal unveils the Grail as its new King. A dove descends from the sky and lingers over Parsifal’s head. Kundry is released from her curse.