Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-11

fusing absolutely to receive thanks or
reveal her identity, sinks to the ground
in weariness. For her sneers the COM
panions of GurnemanZ are about to
seize Kundry, but are warned that she
is living incarnate to wipe out the
sins of a former life, and that in
serving the order of the Grail she is
purchasing back her own redemption.
Suddenly cries are heard, and knights
rush in with the announcement that the
sacred swan which gave periodical life
to the Grail and was speeding its way
across the lake, happy omen to the
wounded king, had been shot. Parsifal,
the murderer, is dragged in. and. though
severely questioned by Gurnemanz, is
ignorant of any wrong.
He doesn't know his father or his
mother, nor who sent him on his weary
way His mother brought him an
orphan into the world" Kundry de-
clares, and kept him like fool in the
forest, a stranger to arms, so that he
shou escape a premature death, but
he fled from her and followed the wild
life of nature. Her grief Is over, for
she is dead. Angered at Kundry's re-
marks, Parsifal flies at her. Gurne-
manz intervenes, and again she sinks
down exhausted. Parsifal appears to
be THE fool who had been promised in
vision to Amfortas as his redeemer,
but it remains to be seen IL he is the
"guileless fool" Gurnamanz conducts
him to the temple, where the holy rites
of the Grail are about to be performed,
hoping as he views the love feast he
will be disclosed as redeemer of the
hurt king.
The scenes now change, panoramical-
ly, and we are led into the great hall of
the castle to witness celebration OF
the Grail. Solemnly the knights chant
in unison and march in. Anfortas is
borne in upon his litter, and the sacred
chalice is brought to the altar. From
without is heard the voice of Giturel,
aged father of Amfortas, and founder
of Mt. Salvat, now too weak to admin
lister the holy offices, and bidding the
Grail to be uncovered. The crystal ves-
sci is taken from it's golden shrine,
darkness falls upon the hall, and the
Grail glows blood red, but Parsifal, be-
wildered though he be, declares that he
does not understand the holy rite and
is roughly elected by Gurnemanz from
the place. This is the end of Act l.
Act II reveals Klingsors palace of
enchantment The black magicion,
gazing into a mirror, sees Parsifal APP
preaching, and knowing that he is the
redeemer that shall heal the wound or
Amfortas, summons Kundry and COM
mands her to tempt him with her spell.
She struggles against the task, for with
llCI lllC pONSi VI 3OCt ciiO 49,
forever in turmoil. She would have
eternal sleep and be freed from her evil
passions. but Klingsor olds her in his
power. The scene changes ana the eye
beholds beautiful garden, peopled
with girls of fascinating loveliness and
decked in gowns of fiowered beauty.
Parsifa enters, and the flower maid
ems, with wiles and Establishments
many, seek to WOO him, but in vain.
He is still the "guileless fool" Kundry
now appears dismisses the ch1ldlsn
wooers, and with all aid of her bland
ishments makes attack on ParslIal
heart and passions. Tenderly she re-
cites to him his mothers death, ana
sorroWfully he sinks at her feet. The
enchantress bends over him, then I'M
prints upon his lips a ferVent kiss, but
Parsifal will not yield. He breaks
away with the cry, The wound the
wound how it burns in my heart on
torment of love!" He recalls that Am
fortas was tempted and yielded, but he
will not. and to the injured king he
sends out sympathy and pity Again
| and again Kundry applies her Wlles
but in vain. 40 all eternity thou
wouldst be damned with me, he eX-
claims, "if for one hour should forget
my mission" and demands TO Know
the way to Amfortas Kundry Illes illto -
a rage and declares tnat Parsifal shali
never find the whereabouts of Amfor-
tas; then she calls upon kllngsor' wno
hurls at him the sacred spear. But tne
weapon is poWerless to hurt PaIslIal'
and remains suspended over his head.
He seizes it, raises is on high ana , o de-
| scribes cross, and instantly the en-
chanted magic garden is TRANSFORMED
into a weary waste of destruction ana
despair, while Kundry falls helpless
and frightened to the ground. Emo OF
| Act II.
Act III returns us to the land of the
Grail For years Parsifal mas wan.
dered in search of Mt. Salvat. Al Ias'
he discovers Gurnemanz, aged ana rec
BILE living as hermit in, the forest, VIII Win
Kundry, saddened and heart broken;
! serving him. 1t is the mornig of Good
Friday, Gurnemanz recognizes Parsi-
fal and unlooses his frook, while huh,
dry washes the dust from his feet' ana
with her long hair dries them. Gurne,
MANI is delighted to see that Parslfat sha !
has the wonderful sacred spear tnat ,..
alone can heal Amfortas' ana eagerly
he offers to conduct him again to tne