Lohengrin

Lohengrin Lohengrin is a romantic opera in three acts by Richard Wagner. Text by the composer. First production; Weimar, Germany, 1850.

The Bridal Chorus is traditionally played at Western weddings, and is thus commonly known as "Here Comes the Bride". It has become one of the most famous pieces of music in the world.

Plot

Place, on the Scheldt.
Time, the tenth century. 
ACT I. King Henry the Fowler has arrived in Brabant and assembles the German tribes to expel the Hungarians from his dominions. Count Telramund acts as regent for Duke Gottfried of Brabant, who is a minor, and brother to Elsa. Gottfried has mysteriously disappeared, and incited by his wife, Ortrud, Telramund accuses Elsa of her brother's murder. He also demands the dukedom. Elsa appears, surrounded by her attendants. Knowing herself innocent, she declares that she is willing to submit to the judgment of God by the ordeal of combat. She chooses as her champion a knight she has beheld in her dreams. (Narrative: "Alone in dark days.") She sinks to her knees and prays God to send her relief. Telramund, at the behest of the king, accepts the gage of battle.  The Herald at first calls in vain upon the unknown knight, but when he calls the second time a  miracle takes place. A boat appears on the river, drawn by a swan. In it is a knight in shining   armour, he lands, dismisses the swan, respectfully greets the king and asks Elsa if she will have him as her champion. Elsa kneels to him and places her honour in his keeping. He makes but one  condition. Never shall she ask him who he is or from whence he comes. Elsa agrees to this, prayers are said, and the place of combat is prepared. Telramund is conquered. The victor grants him his life, and taking Elsa by the hand, declares her innocence, and asks her hand in marriage.

ACT II. The courtyard outside the cathedral. It is night. Telramund and Ortrud, who have been banished, appear in wretched garments. Ortrud endeavours to reanimate Telramund's courage. She is a heathen, the daughter of Radbod, the duke of Frisia, and deals in magic. She schemes to induce Elsa to ask Lohengrin the forbidden questions. When Elsa appears on the balcony in the light of the morning, she sees Ortrud and pities her. Telramund unobserved retires into the shadow of a house. The populace assembles and the Herald announces that the king has made Lohengrin Duke of Brabant, which title he refuses and wishes to be known only as "Guardian of Brabant." As the king, Lohengrin, Elsa and her attendants are about to enter the church, Ortrud, clad in magnificent attire, appears and accuses Lohengrin of being a magician, whose name Elsa herself does not know. Telramund also appears and claims to have been vanquished by fraud, as he does not know the name of his opponent. Lohengrin refuses to reveal his identity, saying that one only has the right to know his origin. To Elsa alone will he answer. Elsa assures him of her confidence, and they enter the church.

ACT III. The bridal chamber. Elsa and Lohengrin are ushered in with the well-known bridal chorus. They express their love for each other, but Ortrud's words are impressed upon Elsa, and, despite Lohengrin's warning, she asks the fatal question. Telramund rushes in to attack the knight, but is slain by Lohengrin, who sorrowfully turns to Elsa, and asks her to follow him to the king, to whom he will now reveal the mystery. Change of scene: On the banks of the Scheldt, as in Act I. The troops arrive equipped for war. Telramund's corpse is brought in, and Lohengrin defends his act. One thing remains, he must now disclose his identity to the king and Elsa. He tells the story of the Holy Grail, and reveals  himself as Lohengrin, knight of the Holy Grail, and son of King Parsifal. The time for his return has arrived, he has only tarried to prove Elsa's innocence. As he sadly bids farewell to his beloved bride, the swan reappears. Lohengrin prays that Elsa may recover her lost brother, and lo! the swan dives into the river and appears again in the form of Gottfried, Elsa's brother, who had been turned into a swan by Ortrud's magic arts. A dove descends from heaven, and taking the place of the swan leads Lohengrin in his boat back to the castle of the Holy Grail.


References and external links: Plot taken from The Opera Goer's Complete Guide by Leo Melitz, 1921 version.












In the News





People With Early Parkinson's Report Hallucinations, Sleepiness
People with early Parkinson's disease report a higher than anticipated development or worsening of hallucinations, sleepiness, and swelling. Researchers have identified factors that make people more likely to develop these problems, according to a recent article.
Exclusive Video: New Time Lord's Take on 'Doctor Who'
Matt Smith talks about the Doctor's motivations in this new video, prepared exclusively for Wired.com.

The Snarky ViceSquad Is Ready to Be Taken Seriously. Seriousl
VBS.tv, a new web-based TV channel created by the scruffy misanthropes behind Vicemagazine, is elbowing its way into the crowded young industry of internet television. All the players are looking for an audience for original online video, and VBS.tv editors are using the jaundiced worldview of their street-culture rag to inform their coverage of global events.
Heat Stress From Enclosed Vehicles: Moderate Ambient Temperatures Caus
July 2005 article about the results of a study that found the temperature inside a parked car can quickly spike to life-threatening levels if the sun is out, even on a relatively cool day. The study found that "leaving the windows opened slightly does not significantly slow the heating process."The study was conducted to increased public awareness about the safety risks of leaving children (and pets) unattended in vehicles. From Pediatrics magazine.
Parkinson’s patients who are pathological gamblers also display abno
People with Parkinson’s Disease are more likely to display abnormal social behaviour and make poor decisions in ambiguous circumstances if they are pathological gamblers. A number of studies have already associated pathological gambling with Parkinson’s, suggesting that it is a frequent impulse control disorder associated mainly with dopamine replacement therapy. The findings of this new research suggest that this particular drug therapy can induce dysfunction in the areas of the brain that control 'affective decision making'.
Archie Gets Horrible New Look
In an effort to rejuvenate flagging interest in the franchise, the Riverdale gang gets a "realistic" make-over by an artist who draws as if every bone in his hand has been deliberately shattered with a hammer. In Table of Malcontents.
Insects, Viruses Could Hold Key For Better Human Teamwork In Disasters
In a new and novel study, scientists are looking to nature -- specifically, to ants, bees and viruses -- for ways to improve human collaboration during disaster relief efforts.
California Department of Insurance: Consumers: Residential Series
Series of state government fact sheets on insurance topics of interest to California homeowners, including property claims, mold and your homeowners policy, avoiding scams after a disaster, title insurance, earthquake coverage, the California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan, and CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) databases. Provides a printable home inventory guide. From the California Department of Insurance.
Mapping Nutrient Distributions Over The Atlantic Ocean
Large-scale distributions of two important nutrient pools -- dissolved organic nitrogen and dissolved organic phosphorus have been systematically mapped for the first time over the Atlantic Ocean in a new study. The findings have important implications for understanding nitrogen and phosphorus biogeochemical cycles and the biological carbon pump in the Atlantic Ocean.
Women tend to have better sense of touch due to smaller finger size
People who have smaller fingers have a finer sense of touch, according to new research. This finding explains why women tend to have better tactile acuity than men, because women on average have smaller fingers.






















MP3 Music Downloads

Preview songs, Download Free Music,Burn CDs at ITunes.com


iTunes_RGB_9mm 



 




















Google



















 




InformationQuickFind.com - Find Information Fast






Links | 
Privacy Policy | 
News |