Richard Wagner Opera Lohengrin
Plot Synopsis and Character Description of German Drama
Lohengrin is a three-act romantic opera composed by Richard Wagner (May 22, 1813 – February 13, 1883). The libretto was written by Wagner himself in German based on Arthurian medieval legends. It was first performed at Weimar, Hofttheater, August 28, 1850. Setting is in Antwerp in the early 10th century.
Notable arias: "Einsam in trüben Tagen" / Elsa's dream (Elsa) and "In fernam Land" (Lohengrin)
Characters List
- Lohengrin, Knight of the Grail, son of Parsifal (tenor)
- Frederick Count Telramund (baritone)
- Elsa von Brabant (soprano)
- King Heinrich, He prepares for war (bass)
- Ortrud, sorceress, wife of Frederick (messo)
When Lohengrin was premiered, Richard Wagner was in political exile in Switzerland. Interestingly, he passed the night in a pub in Lucerne called "The Swan." In this opera, Wagner places supernatural Arthurian romance in the historical reign of King Heinrich of Saxony. The most popular music has always been the beloved "Bridal Chorus" which opens in Act III, often played in weddings.
Plot Summary / Synopsis of Wagner's Lohengrin
Act I. Plain on the Banks of the Scheldt
When King Henry comes to Brabant to raise an army against the Hungarians, he finds the land leaderless. The heir, Gottfried, has mysteriously disappeared. Frederick accuses Gottfried's sister, Elsa, of having killed her brother, he renounces Elsa and marries Ortrud.
The king sends for Elsa and questions her, but she is engrossed by a vision of her knight in shining armor. The issue of Elsa's guilt is submitted to a moral combat, open for combatants to participate. When the herald announces the challenge, Lohengrin appears in a swan boat.
Lohengrin proposes to marry Elsa if he wins, and makes her swear never to ask for his name. Lohengrin fights and defeats Frederick.
Act II. The Citadel of Antwerp
Ortrud consoles Frederick and says that Lohengrin's power will end once his name is revealed but they should prod Elsa to ask him.
Ortrud plants doubts in Elsa's mind about Lohengrin.
The king exiles Frederick and declares Lohengrin guardian of Brabant. He is planned to lead his new subjects against the Hungarians after his wedding. Meanwhile, Frederick tells his plans to four nobles who conceal him from the crowd.
Ortrud declares publicly that Lohengrin's strength lies in magic and demands to know his heritage.
Frederick repeats the charge before the king, but Lohengrin says he answers to on one by Elsa. The bridal pair is led to the altar.
Act III. The Bridal Chamber; The Plain on the Scheldt
The nobles escort Elsa and Lohengrin to the bridal chamber
At this point, Elsa asks Lohengrin his name. Frederick and the four nobles burst in, but Lohengrin slays Frederick and orders the body brought before the king.
King Henry's army gathers. Lohengrin explains how Frederick attacked him and that Elsa has been duped into betraying him. He reveals his name and says he is the son of Parsifal and a knight of the Holy Grail. This breaks the spell, so Lohengrin announces he now must leave. The magic swan appears and is revealed to be the missing Gottfied, the young prince turning back into himself. Lohengrin departs and Elsa, calling out his name, falls dead in her brother's arms.
Readers may want to check out Wagner's operas The Flying Dutchman and The Ban on Love.
Sources:
Martin, Nicholas Ivor. The Da Capo Opera. New York: Da Capo Press, 1997
Riding, Alan and Leslie Dunton Downer. Opera. London: Dorling Kindersley, 2006
Richard Wagner's Opera Lohengrin, London Premiere
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