This comment was written by Kat Pressler on 5 Apr 2016.

E 326K // Literature of the Middle Ages in Translation: Mysteries of the Grail

Opera Comparison

Kat Pressler: The scene of the opera that I decided to focus on come at 3:33-345 which corresponds to pages 292- 297. One of the first things I noticed in this scene is how somber the men sound while singing. This is when they are realizing that Parzival missed the opportunity to ask the question and help the Fisher King. The staging puts two main groups of people on either side with some people even in a circle on the edges. The men slowly and somberly bring in a coffin which can be inferred is Titurel. Anfortas is front and center upset over the death. Additionally in this scene, we see we see Parsifal enter holding the spear when Anfortas basically asks for death. It has many serious tones and, only toward the end when we see the grail, does it become hopeful.

Compared to the book, I found a lot of differences. The first was personal. When reading the book, I did not read it as serious and somber as the opera made it out to be. I read the dialogue as very mater-of-fact and understanding. Additionally, the plot lines differ. While Titurel is the one being carried in the coffin in the opera, he is very much still alive in the book. In fact, he instruct Fifiel how to see the grail saying, “As that eyes unbaptized may win them the power to behold the Grail! Such barriers are built aroundIt, his sight to the task shall fail” (line 434-436, pg 295). His death in the opera allows for more emotion from the other character which is something we do not get to see in the book.

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