from Act III of the German opera Parsifal by Richard Wagner

Libretto: Richard Wagner

Role: Amfortas, son of Titurel and King of the Grail kingdom

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: the Temple of the Grail, the island of Montsalvat, Spain, later ninth century

Synopsis: After his father Titurel dies, the Knights of the Grail want Amfortas to uncover the Grail. However, Amfortas's old spear wound pains him greatly in the presence of the Grail and he begs the knights to kill him instead of forcing him to endure more pain.

from Act I, Scene 3 of the German opera Parsifal by Richard Wagner

Libretto: Richard Wagner

Role: Amfortas, son of Titurel and King of the Grail kingdom

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: the Castle of the Grail, the island of Montsalvat, Spain, later ninth century

Synopsis: After his father Titurel asks him to give Communion to the rest of the knights, Amfortas protests, saying that the wounds he received are troubling him too greatly. Eventually, he passes out.

from Act II, Scene 2 of the German opera Parsifal by Richard Wagner

Libretto: Richard Wagner

Role: Kundry, cursed to live forever until someone resists her charms

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic soprano

Setting: Klingsor's castle, the island of Montsalvat, Spain, later ninth century

Synopsis: Kundry tells Parsifal about his mother. Kundry remembers seeing Parsifal when he was a baby on his mother's breast. She watched him grow up and, when Parsifal finally left, his mother was saddened to the point of death.

from Act II, Scene 2 of the German opera Parsifal by Richard Wagner

Libretto: Richard Wagner

Role: Kundry, cursed to live forever until someone resists her charms

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic soprano

Setting: Klingsor's castle, the island of Montsalvat, Spain, later ninth century

Synopsis: Kundry explains to Parsifal about her difficult life and the curse that has been set upon her. Throughout the tale, she continus to try and seduce Parsifal, hoping that he will think it will remove her sin.

from Act II, Scene 2 of the German opera Parsifal by Richard Wagner

Libretto: Richard Wagner

Role: Parsifal, a young man

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: dramatic tenor/heldentenor

Setting: Klingsor's castle, the island of Montsalvat, Spain, later ninth century

Synopsis: After Kundry kisses him in an attempt to seduce him, Parsifal remembers the wounds of King Amfortas. He ruminates on them and how the only way that he can save himself from the sin of Kundry's kiss is by asking forgiveness from God.