PARSIFAL

by Richard Wagner

1813-1883

Libretto by the Composer

CHARACTERS

• Gurnemanz, an elderly knight of the Grail - Bass
• Four esquires - Sopranos & Tenors
• First knight - Tenor
• Second knight - Baritone
• Kundry, part sorceress, part mortal woman - Soprano
• Amfortas, King of the knights of the Holy Grail - Baritone
• Parsifal, a Fool - Tenor
• Titurel, father of Amfortas, former king of Monsalvat - Bass
• Klingsor, a sorcerer - Bass
• Knights of the Grail, boys & youths, Flower Maidens of Klingsor's garden

Place:

• In and about the castle of Monsalvat in the Spanish Pyrenees
• Time: Middle Ages
• First performance: Festspielhaus, Bayreuth, July 26, 1882

Wagner completed his libretto in 1877, and it was finally produced as his last work in 1882 with 23 soloists, 135 chorus members, and an orchestra of 107.

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Here is another site devoted to Richard Wagner if you are interested in learning more about this gifted composer.