By the Castle of the Holy Grail

Knights who guard the Holy Grail (the cup from which Christ drank at the Last Supper) prepare a bath for their King, Amfortas. Amfortas is sick – he suffers from an incurable wound. Kundry, a mysterious woman, appears with medicine to alleviate his pain. 

Old knight Gurnemanz tells of how this all came about: long ago, both the Grail and the Holy Spear (that pierced Jesus’ side on the cross) were entrusted to Titurel, Amfortas’ father, who assembled knights to guard these relics. Klingsor wished to join this brotherhood, but was rejected. In revenge, he built a fortress with a magic garden full of beautiful women to ensnare the knights. Amfortas tried to defeat Klingsor, but was himself seduced, whereupon Klingsor stole the Spear and stabbed Amfortas with it. The wound can only be healed by a ‘pure fool made wise by compassion’.

Speaking of whom… suddenly, a swan is shot down, and knights drag in a remorseful youth, whom Kundry identifies as ‘Parsifal’. Gurnemanz leads the boy back to the Grail Castle, wondering if he might be the one. 

Back in the Castle, Titurel urges his son to uncover the Grail, a ritual which produces nourishment for the knights. Amfortas is reluctant, as this causes his wound to reopen, but submits. At the end of the ceremony, Parsifal is baffled by what he has witnessed, and Gurnemanz drives him away in disappointment. 

Klingsor’s bewitched fortress

Klingsor summons Kundry and orders her to seduce the young fool, whom he recognises can heal Amfortas and save the Knights of the Grail. (Kundry is forced to lead a double life – she serves both the knights of the Grail and also Klingsor, because she is under his spell.)

Parsifal enters Klingsor’s enchanted garden, and flower maidens beg for his love. Kundry appears and tries to seduce Parsifal using memories of his mother, but as she kisses him, he suddenly feels Amfortas’ pain himself and realises what his purpose is: to save the Knights of the Grail. 

Resisted and rejected, Kundry curses Parsifal to wander hopelessly for years. In desperation, Klingsor hurls the Holy Spear at Parsifal, but it miraculously stops in mid-air. Parsifal catches it and makes the sign of the cross, causing Klingsor’s whole domain to crumble… 

Back by the Castle of the Holy Grail

It is many years later. Titurel has died, and the whole community of knights is on their last legs as Amfortas now refuses to uncover the Holy Grail – the ritual that sustains them all – because of the pain it causes him.

Just in time, a knight approaches – it is Parsifal, who has eventually made his way back. A remorseful Kundry washes Parsifal’s feet, and Gurnemanz proclaims him king. Parsifal baptizes Kundry. The tolling of bells signals Titurel’s funeral and the three make their way to the Castle.

In the Hall of the Grail, Amfortas begs the knights to kill him to end his suffering when Parsifal appears and touches his side, which finally heals the wound. Parsifal then uncovers the Grail, and becomes the new King. Kundry, also now redeemed and released from her curse, dies.