description Richard Wagner: Lohengrin, WWV 75 Overview
Lohengrin, WWV 75 is a three-act German-language Romantic opera by Richard Wagner, composed from 1845 to 1848 and first performed at Weimar in 1850 under Franz Liszt. Drawing on medieval Grail and swan-knight legends, it follows Elsa of Brabant and the mysterious knight who defends her on condition that she never ask his identity. The score uses recurring thematic ideas and includes the Act III Bridal Chorus, widely adapted outside the opera as a wedding processional.
help Richard Wagner: Lohengrin, WWV 75 FAQ
Why must Elsa never ask Lohengrin his name?
Lohengrin agrees to defend and marry Elsa only if she never asks his name or origin. Ortrud exploits Elsa's uncertainty, and when Elsa finally asks, Lohengrin must reveal that he is a Grail knight and leave her.
Is the Bridal Chorus actually sung at Lohengrin's wedding?
Yes, the chorus Treulich geführt is sung as Elsa and Lohengrin enter the bridal chamber in Act III. Its familiar Here Comes the Bride association is ironic because their marriage collapses almost immediately afterward.
Who arrives in the swan boat in Lohengrin?
A mysterious knight arrives in a boat drawn by a swan and offers to fight Telramund in Elsa's defense. He is eventually revealed as Lohengrin, son of Parsifal and a knight of the Holy Grail.
What is Ortrud trying to achieve in Lohengrin?
Ortrud wants to restore the pagan power and political position lost by her husband, Telramund. She manipulates Elsa into doubting Lohengrin, turning the forbidden question into the means of destroying their marriage.
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