/lit/ - Literature

>>21623897
>Liszt wrote in a letter: 'The sketch of Parsifal which Wagner read to us recently is filled and permeated with the essence of Christianity . . . I am willing to confess that most of our poets who are regarded as Christian-Catholic stand far behind Wagner in their religious sentiments.'

>Weininger called Wagner 'the greatest man since Christ’s time', claimed ‘[U]nmistakeably the shadow of Ahasverus also falls on his Kundry, the most profound female figure in all art’, and crowns Parsifal ‘the deepest poetry in world literature’.

>Scruton: 'There is no work of Christian theology that matches Wagner's exploration of the Eucharist in Parsifal'

>>20723221
Parsifal.

>There is no work of Christian theology that matches Wagner's exploration of the Eucharist in Parsifal
- Scruton

>I am inspired to write this work in order to preserve the world’s profoundest secret, the truest Christian faith, nay, to awaken that faith anew. And for the sake of this immense task that it is reserved for me to accomplish, I have felt obliged to use my Nibelung drama to build a Castle of the Grail devoted to art, far removed from the common byways of human activity: for only there, in Monsalvat, can the longed-for deed be revealed to the people, to those who are initiated into its rites, not in those places where God may not show Himself beside the idols of day without His being blasphemed.
- Wagner

youtube.com/watch?v=Rd4chRf7RFQ

>>20298548
Parsifal.

>Wagner had hoped that Parsifal, the “pinnacle of my achievements,” would “preserve the world’s profoundest secret the truest Christian faith, nay to awaken that faith anew!”
>Cosima: "he talks to me about this trait of the Grail mystery: that the blood becomes wine, so we, strengthened, can turn toward the earth, whereas the transformation of wine to blood draws us away from the earth."
>"For me Christianity has not yet arrived, and I am like the early Christians, awaiting Christ's return."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yV-cjP96Se8

>>20204299
Parzival and Parsifal.

>Cosima: "he talks to me about this trait of the Grail mystery: that the blood becomes wine, so we, strengthened, can turn toward the earth, whereas the transformation of wine to blood draws us away from the earth."

>>20135328
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTX75uA80T4

Amfortas' monologue and Stefan George's poem about it.

Deep is the sorrow
that darkens around me,
Once more I enter,
Lord! thy house…

Long was the journey,
weary now the limbs.
Empty the altars,
full only the torment.

The parched tongue
longs for the wine.
Hard was the struggle,
numb is my arm.

Grant sweet repose
to faltering footsteps,
For hungry mouths
crumble your bread!

Weak is my breath
calling forth the dream,
Hands are empty,
feverish the mouth . .

Lend thy coolness,
quench the conflagration,
Cancel all hope,
vouchsafe the light!

Fires in the heart
still glow openly,
Deep within me
a cry is still awake . .

Kill all longing,
close the wound!
Take love from me.
give me thy joy!

>Wagner consciously sought to associate the ceremony in his drama with the Catholic Eucharistic celebration, at least in its outward form. Significantly enough, the transubstantiation in Wagner’s drama happens very differently — bread and wine are not transformed into Christ’s body and blood. Rather, the opposite occurs, and Christ’s body is changed into bread and his blood into wine. Wagner emphasized the importance of his revision of the traditional doctrine.
>Cosima: "he talks to me about this trait of the Grail mystery: that the blood becomes wine, so we, strengthened, can turn toward the earth, whereas the transformation of wine to blood draws us away from the earth."
>In Wagner’s religiosity, attention should be turned toward this world, whereas the traditional ceremony turns our attention away from this world to the next.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yV-cjP96Se8

>>19975951
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHvF0ROiJ8o

>>19527984

>>19488863
>Is there still such a thing as a Christian Neoplatonist who seeks his soul's return to God's unity via theosis (henosis)?
Yes, Parsifal.

https://youtu.be/dzeNnoMmsjM?t=5404

>>18692831
Parsifal.

>>18340200
>>18340210
>"The sketch of Parsifal which Wagner read to us recently is filled and permeated with the essence of Christianity . . . I am willing to confess that most of our poets who are regarded as Christian-Catholic stand far behind Wagner in their religious sentiments."
- Franz Liszt

>Wein und Brot des letzten Mahles
>wandelt' einst der Herr des Grales
>durch des Mitleids Liebesmacht
>in das Blut, das er vergoss,
>in den Leib, den dar er bracht'.

>Blut und Leib der heil'gen Gabe
>wandelt heut zu eurer Labe
>sel'ger Tröstung Liebesgeist
>in den Wein, der euch nun floss,
>in das Brot, das heut ihr speist.

>Nehmet vom Briot,
>wandelt es kühn
>zu Leibes Kraft und Stärke;
>treu bis zum Tod;
>fest jedem Mühn,
>zu wirken des Heilands Werke!

>Nehmet vom Wein,
>wandelt ihn neu
>zu Lebens-feurigem Blute,

>froh im Verein,
>brudergetreu
>zu kämpfen mit seligem Mute!

>Selig im Galuben!
>Selig in Liebe!

>Selig im Liebe!

>Selig im Glauben!

https://youtu.be/dzeNnoMmsjM?t=5764

http://www.operafolio.com/libretto.asp?n=Parsifal&translation=UK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c8Cub42RLM

>>17813514
>"The sketch of Parsifal which Wagner read to us recently is filled and permeated with the essence of Christianity . . . I am willing to confess that most of our poets who are regarded as Christian-Catholic stand far behind Wagner in their religious sentiments."
- Franz Liszt

>Wein und Brot des letzten Mahles
>wandelt' einst der Herr des Grales
>durch des Mitleids Liebesmacht
>in das Blut, das er vergoss,
>in den Leib, den dar er bracht'.

>Blut und Leib der heil'gen Gabe
>wandelt heut zu eurer Labe
>sel'ger Tröstung Liebesgeist
>in den Wein, der euch nun floss,
>in das Brot, das heut ihr speist.

>Nehmet vom Briot,
>wandelt es kühn
>zu Leibes Kraft und Stärke;
>treu bis zum Tod;
>fest jedem Mühn,
>zu wirken des Heilands Werke!

>Nehmet vom Wein,
>wandelt ihn neu
>zu Lebens-feurigem Blute,

>froh im Verein,
>brudergetreu
>zu kämpfen mit seligem Mute!

>Selig im Galuben!
>Selig in Liebe!

>Selig im Liebe!

>Selig im Glauben!

http://www.operafolio.com/libretto.asp?n=Parsifal&translation=UK

https://youtu.be/dzeNnoMmsjM?t=5764
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y-xxhBia0s

>>17674140
>"The sketch of Parsifal which Wagner read to us recently is filled and permeated with the essence of Christianity . . . I am willing to confess that most of our poets who are regarded as Christian-Catholic stand far behind Wagner in their religious sentiments."
- Franz Liszt

>Wein und Brot des letzten Mahles
>wandelt' einst der Herr des Grales
>durch des Mitleids Liebesmacht
>in das Blut, das er vergoss,
>in den Leib, den dar er bracht'.

>Blut und Leib der heil'gen Gabe
>wandelt heut zu eurer Labe
>sel'ger Tröstung Liebesgeist
>in den Wein, der euch nun floss,
>in das Brot, das heut ihr speist.

>Nehmet vom Briot,
>wandelt es kühn
>zu Leibes Kraft und Stärke;
>treu bis zum Tod;
>fest jedem Mühn,
>zu wirken des Heilands Werke!

>Nehmet vom Wein,
>wandelt ihn neu
>zu Lebens-feurigem Blute,

>froh im Verein,
>brudergetreu
>zu kämpfen mit seligem Mute!

>Selig im Galuben!
>Selig in Liebe!

>Selig im Liebe!

>Selig im Glauben!

http://www.operafolio.com/libretto.asp?n=Parsifal&translation=UK

https://youtu.be/dzeNnoMmsjM?t=5764
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y-xxhBia0s

>>17673375
>"The sketch of Parsifal which Wagner read to us recently is filled and permeated with the essence of Christianity . . . I am willing to confess that most of our poets who are regarded as Christian-Catholic stand far behind Wagner in their religious sentiments."
- Franz Liszt

>Wein und Brot des letzten Mahles
>wandelt' einst der Herr des Grales
>durch des Mitleids Liebesmacht
>in das Blut, das er vergoss,
>in den Leib, den dar er bracht'.

>Blut und Leib der heil'gen Gabe
>wandelt heut zu eurer Labe
>sel'ger Tröstung Liebesgeist
>in den Wein, der euch nun floss,
>in das Brot, das heut ihr speist.

>Nehmet vom Briot,
>wandelt es kühn
>zu Leibes Kraft und Stärke;
>treu bis zum Tod;
>fest jedem Mühn,
>zu wirken des Heilands Werke!

>Nehmet vom Wein,
>wandelt ihn neu
>zu Lebens-feurigem Blute,

>froh im Verein,
>brudergetreu
>zu kämpfen mit seligem Mute!

>Selig im Galuben!
>Selig in Liebe!

>Selig im Liebe!

>Selig im Glauben!

http://www.operafolio.com/libretto.asp?n=Parsifal&translation=UK

https://youtu.be/dzeNnoMmsjM?t=5764
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y-xxhBia0s

>>17647998
>"The sketch of Parsifal which Wagner read to us recently is filled and permeated with the essence of Christianity . . . I am willing to confess that most of our poets who are regarded as Christian-Catholic stand far behind Wagner in their religious sentiments."
- Franz Liszt

>Wein und Brot des letzten Mahles
>wandelt' einst der Herr des Grales
>durch des Mitleids Liebesmacht
>in das Blut, das er vergoss,
>in den Leib, den dar er bracht'.

>Blut und Leib der heil'gen Gabe
>wandelt heut zu eurer Labe
>sel'ger Tröstung Liebesgeist
>in den Wein, der euch nun floss,
>in das Brot, das heut ihr speist.

>Nehmet vom Briot,
>wandelt es kühn
>zu Leibes Kraft und Stärke;
>treu bis zum Tod;
>fest jedem Mühn,
>zu wirken des Heilands Werke!

>Nehmet vom Wein,
>wandelt ihn neu
>zu Lebens-feurigem Blute,

>froh im Verein,
>brudergetreu
>zu kämpfen mit seligem Mute!

>Selig im Galuben!
>Selig in Liebe!

>Selig im Liebe!

>Selig im Glauben!

http://www.operafolio.com/libretto.asp?n=Parsifal&translation=UK

https://youtu.be/dzeNnoMmsjM?t=5764
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y-xxhBia0s

>"The sketch of Parsifal which Wagner read to us recently is filled and permeated with the essence of Christianity . . . I am willing to confess that most of our poets who are regarded as Christian-Catholic stand far behind Wagner in their religious sentiments."
- Franz Liszt

Why aren't you READING Wagner?

>Wein und Brot des letzten Mahles
>wandelt' einst der Herr des Grales
>durch des Mitleids Liebesmacht
>in das Blut, das er vergoss,
>in den Leib, den dar er bracht'.

>Blut und Leib der heil'gen Gabe
>wandelt heut zu eurer Labe
>sel'ger Tröstung Liebesgeist
>in den Wein, der euch nun floss,
>in das Brot, das heut ihr speist.

>Nehmet vom Briot,
>wandelt es kühn
>zu Leibes Kraft und Stärke;
>treu bis zum Tod;
>fest jedem Mühn,
>zu wirken des Heilands Werke!

>Nehmet vom Wein,
>wandelt ihn neu
>zu Lebens-feurigem Blute,

>froh im Verein,
>brudergetreu
>zu kämpfen mit seligem Mute!

>Selig im Galuben!
>Selig in Liebe!

>Selig im Liebe!

>Selig im Glauben!

https://youtu.be/dzeNnoMmsjM?t=5764
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y-xxhBia0s

>"The sketch of Parsifal which Wagner read to us recently is filled and permeated with the essence of Christianity . . . I am willing to confess that most of our poets who are regarded as Christian-Catholic stand far behind Wagner in their religious sentiments."
- Franz Liszt

>Wein und Brot des letzten Mahles
>wandelt' einst der Herr des Grales
>durch des Mitleids Liebesmacht
>in das Blut, das er vergoss,
>in den Leib, den dar er bracht'.

>Blut und Leib der heil'gen Gabe
>wandelt heut zu eurer Labe
>sel'ger Tröstung Liebesgeist
>in den Wein, der euch nun floss,
>in das Brot, das heut ihr speist.

>Nehmet vom Briot,
>wandelt es kühn
>zu Leibes Kraft und Stärke;
>treu bis zum Tod;
>fest jedem Mühn,
>zu wirken des Heilands Werke!

>Nehmet vom Wein,
>wandelt ihn neu
>zu Lebens-feurigem Blute,

>froh im Verein,
>brudergetreu
>zu kämpfen mit seligem Mute!

>Selig im Galuben!
>Selig in Liebe!

>Selig im Liebe!

>Selig im Glauben!

https://youtu.be/dzeNnoMmsjM?t=5764
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y-xxhBia0s

>"The sketch of Parsifal which Wagner read to us recently is filled and permeated with the essence of Christianity . . . I am willing to confess that most of our poets who are regarded as Christian-Catholic stand far behind Wagner in their religious sentiments."
- Franz Liszt

Why aren't you READING Wagner?

>Wein und Brot des letzten Mahles
>wandelt' einst der Herr des Grales
>durch des Mitleids Liebesmacht
>in das Blut, das er vergoss,
>in den Leib, den dar er bracht'.

>Blut und Leib der heil'gen Gabe
>wandelt heut zu eurer Labe
>sel'ger Tröstung Liebesgeist
>in den Wein, der euch nun floss,
>in das Brot, das heut ihr speist.

>Nehmet vom Briot,
>wandelt es kühn
>zu Leibes Kraft und Stärke;
>treu bis zum Tod;
>fest jedem Mühn,
>zu wirken des Heilands Werke!

>Nehmet vom Wein,
>wandelt ihn neu
>zu Lebens-feurigem Blute,

>froh im Verein,
>brudergetreu
>zu kämpfen mit seligem Mute!

>Selig im Galuben!
>Selig in Liebe!

>Selig im Liebe!

>Selig im Glauben!

https://youtu.be/dzeNnoMmsjM?t=5764
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y-xxhBia0s

>>17358463
Even though Richard belonged to the Romantic period, which is almost entirely against minimalism as an idea or aesthetic (after all, it was the first time the stage could properly mount up to a very detailed portrayal in theatre), I think he would have appreciated the brilliance in something like Wieland Wagner's New Bayreuth style minimalism, pic related.

But these controversial modern productions are not even so much about just being controversial and new, they say that about anything, it is quite often a very purposeful rejection of what it's trying to produce. Such as the Die Meistersinger in 2017 Bayreuth, which puts Wagner on trial at Nuremberg.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BunpM0qX0xw