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

2. 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 (
via Wikimedia Commons

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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!”