Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral By Richard Wagner, arranged by Lucien Cailliet

Lohengrin Opera written by Richard Wagner throughout the 1840s First premiered in Weimar, Germany in 1850 Wagner was unable to attend due to being exiled from the country The opera “Here Comes the Bride” is from By Ethel L Gabain (Own file) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Story Elsa is wrongfully accused of killing her brother Calls on a knight from her dreams to defend her honor He appears mysteriously, on a boat drawn by a swan, in response to her prayers He asks for her hand in marriage, but says she must agree to never ask his name. (Spoiler alert, it’s Lohengrin) He defeats the accuser and they go on to get married This is where Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral is played!! After they are married, due to the influence of other characters, Elsa’s curiosity gets the better of her and she asks her husband his name. He reveals his identity as a knight at the Temple of the Holy Grail, to which he must return. He departs on the boat that mysteriously brought him there, and Elsa, stricken with grief, falls to the ground and dies.

Melodic Ideas Flute solo, m. 1; Upper WW, m. 55 Oboe solo, m. 17; Clarinet solo, m. 21, Flutes and Clarinets, m. 34 “Wagner turn,” cadential points throughout

Musical Ideas Lyrical, legato playing Balance (variety of ensemble textures) Soloists Chamber-like textures Full band at soft dynamics Full band at loud dynamics Pacing “One giant crescendo,” building toward the climax at the end

The Heart of the Music Capturing the emotion of the story! This piece is a reflection of a young woman on her wedding day. “May you be blessed as you proceed!”