No less than 37 years, more than half of Wagner's life, passed from the first idea of the opera 'Parsifal' to its world premiere in Bayreuth in 1882, it being Wagner's last stage work before his death on 13 February 1883. The music publisher Schott from Mainz paid 100,000 marks to acquire 'Parsifal', and the fact that 'Parsifal' has become part of the repertoire of all major music theatres of the world proved the publisher right. This opera is performed every year, especially on Good Friday, always with the same great success with the audience. Every music lover witnesses the grandeur of this highly significant work.Apart from the libretto, this edition contains introductory commentaries of Kurt Pahlen who also adds information on the compositional structure and context to the musical as well as external and internal dramatic action of the opera. A short synopsis and a brief outline of the genesis bring the work into relation with the composer's entire oeuvre and life, thus offering a comprehensive, richly illustrated introduction.