Enthüllet die Rainbow Connection
Notes on Parsifal and The Muppet Movie
As the only two genuine examples of the Wagnerian Gesamtkunstwerk, it’s unsurprising that Parsifal and The Muppet Movie exhibit certain commonalities. The echoes are nevertheless striking. Two holy fools, called from pastoral repose to gather a scattered brotherhood; a pair of temptresses cursed by arrogance to remain rootless; redemption only achieved through benediction by God or Orson Welles. It’s been a while since I’ve seen it performed, so I don’t remember if Parsifal has anyone who kills frogs with a spear gun.
And it isn’t only the plots that rhyme. Parsifal takes its heraldic laments and turns them into a soft bed of descending harps and strings until a final transfigured restatement of the Dresden Amen absolves audience and players alike. In The Muppet Movie the musical motif also comes full circle: wistfulness resolves into communion and Kermit addresses us through a rainbow.
Note: For more than a decade before my daughter was born, I listened to Parsifal almost weekly. For the past year I have watched The Muppet Movie almost daily.
"...For more than a decade...I listened to Parsifal almost weekly. For the past year I have watched The Muppet Movie almost daily."
Well, there's your problem. No one could survive that with their sanity intact. The LD50 of Wagner is about ten minutes, and that of whoever writes the Muppets' tinkly-jinglies much the same. You need to spend a few months in an anechoic chamber, then ease into a little bit of Bach. Ping me if you make it that far and I'll offer more recommendations.