Fisher Digital Publications

Article Title

Musings on Music: Wagner, Redemption, and the Divine

Authors

Michael Costik, St. John Fisher UniversityFollow

Document Type

Original Essay

Abstract

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

“How can I atone for my guilt?” This question is asked by the guileless fool, hero of Richard Wagner’s final Music Drama, Parsifal during Act Two; it is a sublime scene, and, perhaps, one of the finest examples of artistic mastery in existence. This is certainly open for debate, and subject to personal preference, but please allow me to at least use this as an example, since it has been instrumental in not only my musical growth, but also in my development and the recommitment to my Catholic faith. When I first heard this music, I wept. This was before I knew the words or had the slightest inclination to its meaning. It was also at a time when I was committed to no particular faith."

First Page

23

Last Page

29

Recommended Citation

Costik, Michael (2007) "Musings on Music: Wagner, Redemption, and the Divine," Verbum: Vol. 5: Iss. 1, Article 13.
Available at: https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/verbum/vol5/iss1/13