Plot of the Opera "Lohengrin."
The scene of the opera "Lohengrin" (Knight of the Swan) is laid in Antwerp, Belgium, in the early part of the tenth century.
Henry I., King of Germany, surnamed the "Fowler," has arrived at Antwerp with the intention of repelling the Hungarians, who have threatened to invade his dominions.
He finds Brabant in a state of anarchy. Godfrey, the young son of the late duke, has disappeared; and his sister, Elsa, is accused by her guardian, Frederick of Telramund, of murdering him. Frederick now claims to be the ruler of the duchy by right of his wife Ortrud. Elsa, appearing before King Henry I., asserts her innocence; and it is agreed that the cause shall be decided by a judicial combat between Frederick and any champion who may appear on behalf of the accused. When Elsa's cause seems almost hopeless, a knight appears, ascending the river Scheldt in a boat drawn by a single swan, which, after having landed, he dismisses. He undertakes her defence; Elsa promising that if he is victorious she will bestow upon him her hand, and never question him as to his name or origin.
In the combat which ensues, Frederick is stricken to the ground by his unknown antagonist, and then de prived of his title and estate.
Preparations are made for the immediate marriage of the stranger with Elsa; but, while all is revelry in the abode of the knights, Frederick and Ortrud are without, plotting how they may revenge and recover their lost honors.
Ortrud at last presents herself at the kemenate, or abode of the ladies, gains admission, and secures the favor of Elsa, who promises to obtain the pardon of Frederick. She also listens to the suggestions of Ortrud, that she ought to inquire into the name and origin of her future husband, who, without a ducal title, has been appointed Protector of Brabant. As the nuptial procession approaches the cathedral, the conspirators reveal themselves in their true characters; Ortrud opposing Elsa at the door, and Frederick declaring the unknown knight to be a sorcerer who has gained his victory by unfair means. The intruders are expelled by the king and people, and the marriage takes place; but when the bride and bridegroom are left alone, Elsa, roused by the evil suggestions of Ortrud, begins, notwithstanding her promise, to question the knight, who in vain endeavors to allay her suspicions. Frederick, who enters the room, and is about to assail his former antagonist, is slain by him.
On the following morning the explanation so unwisely solicited by Elsa is given in the presence of the king.
The knight is the son of King Percival, keeper of the mysterious cup known as the "Holy Grail," to whose service he is attached; and his name is Lohengrin. It is to the Grail that he is indebted for his invisible power; but now that all is revealed, he must no longer remain in Brabant.
The swan returns with the boat to bear him away; but he removes a gold chain from its neck, and in its stead appears the youth Godfrey, who had been changed to a swan by the sorceress Ortrud.
Godfrey is now declared the rightful Duke of Brabant; while Lohengrin departs, to the intense grief of his bride, the king, and the people.
This opera was composed while, for political reasons, Wagner was residing in Switzerland in 1848.
The words of the libretto, as of all Wagner's operas, are of his own composition.