Tristan or Parsifal?

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Wagner's two great relatively static music dramas, with much of dialogue and little action. Yet the delving into character's psyche makes it feel like a great adventure, even if they are not the most action-oriented works of his in reality. In reality that honor goes to Das Rheingold, Siegfried and Lohengrin, IMO. Plenty of action there. But back to the topic.

Which one do you like more, Tristan und Isolde, or Parsifal? I used to prefer the latter but after more and more listening to Tristan during the last years I grew absolutely intoxicated with it. Parsifal I enjoyed immediately but Tristan used to be meh. But when I did grow to enjoy Tristan, boy did I enjoy it a lot. And still do. So my vote goes for T.

In the same vein, you may also mention which one do you think is a greater opera, even despite of personal preferences.

[Karl Henning]

Preference to Parsifal, although I have reservations about both operas Music Dramas.

[Todd]

Tristan, but just barely.  I'd say Tristan is the greater opera in terms of subsequent development of opera and music more generally. 

[Sergeant Rock]

The Liebestod is my favorite part, and Tristan is the greater work, but overall I still prefer Parsifal.

Sarge

[James]

Both are great. Upper echelon. Its like splitting hairs trying to decide which is greater.

[Ghost Sonata]

My view is precisely the same as Sarge's.  Parsifal is so laden with dramatic, symbolic and extra-musical influences for me that it is the one I listen to again and again.  Still, I recognize Tristan as the greater accomplishment and I ought to listen to it more than I do. 

[Mandryka]

Both make no sense whatsoever, but Pasifal is the more incomprehensible.

I think Tristan is the better opera, the way that the tension builds in Act 1, the sexiness of the duet in Act 2, especially Brangaene's warning, and the quietness, the quiet intensity,  of Act 3 are really special.

Gurnemanz goes on a bit too much in Act 1, and there's something too stolid and Brucknerian about the bit where time turns to space or whatever it is. Act 2 is completely incomprehensible in the second half (what the fuck's that kiss about?), and silly in the part with Klingsor in his strange motor car.  Act 3's pretty good.

[TheGSMoeller]

Parsifal.
Contains Wagner's greatest prelude. And seeing it performed live is an added bonus.

[Karl Henning]

Both make no sense whatsoever, but Pasifal is the more incomprehensible.

You we say that like it's a bad thing.

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[Karl Henning]

Parsifal.
Contains Wagner's greatest prelude.

Agreed.

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[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

Personally I like Tristan, particularly act 2.

[mszczuj]

Tristan. There is no second act of Parsifal in it.

[Robert101]

Parsifal in a close one...

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Agreed.

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Agreed. Act 3 prelude, that is.  (Just kidding. Act 3 prelude of Tristan is my personal favorite.)

[Cato]

The Liebestod is my favorite part, and Tristan is the greater work, but overall I still prefer Parsifal.

Sarge

Both are great. Upper echelon. It's like splitting hairs trying to decide which is greater.

Amen twice!  0:) 0:)

Food for thought about the Parsifal Prelude being greater than Tristan's !

[André]

Both make no sense whatsoever, but Pasifal is the more incomprehensible.

I think Tristan is the better opera, the way that the tension builds in Act 1, the sexiness of the duet in Act 2, especially Brangaene's warning, and the quietness, the quiet intensity,  of Act 3 are really special.

Gurnemanz goes on a bit too much in Act 1, and there's something too stolid and Brucknerian about the bit where time turns to space or whatever it is. Act 2 is completely incomprehensible in the second half (what the fuck's that kiss about?), and silly in the part with Klingsor in his strange motor car.  Act 3's pretty good.

I agree with every single word !

On the preludes: Act III of Tristan, Act I of Lohengrin, Act I of Tristan, Act I of Parsifal. In that order. But all are extraordinary.

[Mirror Image]

I voted Parsifal, but I do recognize that Tristan und Isolde is the more influential work.

[Ken B]

Parsifal got my vote. It's very beautiful music. Tristan is the most important opera of the 19th century. It's probably a better opera.

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

Oh heck it's neck and neck

[anothername]

Tristan hands down, the most wonderful love duet ever written .