from Act III of the German opera
Parsifal by Richard Wagner
Libretto: Richard Wagner
Role: Amfortas, son of Titurel and King of the Grail kingdom
Voice Part: baritone Fach: dramatic baritone
Setting: the Temple of the Grail, the island of Montsalvat, Spain, later ninth century
Synopsis: After his father Titurel dies, the Knights of the Grail want Amfortas to uncover the Grail. However, Amfortas's old spear wound pains him greatly in the presence of the Grail and he begs the knights to kill him instead of forcing him to endure more pain.