Lohengrin (opera)

Lohengrin is a romantic opera in three acts by Richard Wagner. The story of the eponymous character is taken from medieval German romance, notably the Parzival of Wolfram von Eschenbach and its anonymous sequel, Lohengrin. It is part of the Knight of the Swan tradition.

Related Topics:
Opera - Richard Wagner - Parzival - Wolfram von Eschenbach - Lohengrin - Knight of the Swan

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Text by the composer. First production; Weimar, Germany on 28 August 1850.

Related Topics:
Weimar, Germany - 28 August - 1850

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"Lohengrin" was an immediate popular success, and several excerpts have become famous. These include the preludes to the first and third acts, Lohengrin's aria In fernem Land, and the Bridal Chorus, which is traditionally played at Western weddings, and is commonly known as "Here Comes the Bride".

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Among those deeply moved by the fairy-tale opera was the young King Ludwig II of Bavaria, who later built the ideal fairy-tale castle and called it, after the Swan Knight, "New Swan Stone," or "Neuschwanstein". The opening scene of the opera may be interpreted as a thinly veiled exhortation to Ludwig to unite Germany under his own flag. It was King Ludwig's patronage that later gave Wagner the means and opportunity to build a theatre for, compose and stage his "Ring of the Nibelung."

Related Topics:
Ludwig II of Bavaria - Neuschwanstein - Ring of the Nibelung

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