Bridal Chorus

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The "Bridal Chorus" from the opera Lohengrin, by German composer Richard Wagner, is the standard march played for the bride's entrance at most formal weddings in the United States and at many weddings throughout the Western world. In English-speaking countries it is generally known as the "Wedding March" (though actually "wedding march" refers to any song accompanying the entrance or exit of the bride, most often Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March") or "Here Comes the Bride". However, it is rarely played at Jewish weddings, as Wagner was a known anti-Semite. (Additionally, there is a large repertoire of Jewish liturgical music that is played at weddings, so the Bridal March is simply unnecessary for that occasion.) It is also not used by the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod because of various factors, but most especially due to the perceived pagan connotations of Wagner's plays. [1]

Its usual placement at the beginning of a wedding ceremony is not entirely in accordance with its placement in the opera. In the opera, the chorus is sung after the ceremony by the women of the wedding party, as they accompany the heroine Elsa to the bridal chamber. In addition, the marriage between Elsa and Lohengrin is an almost immediate failure.

[edit] Text

Although at most weddings the chorus is usually played without vocal accompaniment (usually on organ, if there is any), in Lohengrin the wedding party sings these words at the beginning of Act Three:

Treulich geführt ziehet dahin, wo euch der Segen der Liebe bewahr'! Siegreicher Mut, Minnegewinn eint euch in Treue zum seligsten Paar. Streiter der Tugend, schreite voran! Zierde der Jugend, schreite voran! Rauschen des Festes seid nun entronnen, Wonne des Herzens sei euch gewonnen! Duftender Raum, zur Liebe geschmückt, nehm' euch nun auf, dem Glanze entrückt. Treulich geführt ziehet nun ein, wo euch der Segen der Liebe bewahr'! Siegreicher Mut, Minne so rein eint euch in Treue zum seligsten Paar.

Faithfully guided, draw near to where the blessing of love shall preserve you! Triumphant courage, the reward of love, joins you in faith as the happiest of couples! Champion of virtue, proceed! Jewel of youth, proceed! Flee now the splendour of the wedding feast, may the delights of the heart be yours! This sweet-smelling room, decked for love, now takes you in, away from the splendour. Faithfully guided, draw now near to where the blessing of love shall preserve you! Triumphant courage, love so pure, joins you in faith as the happiest of couples!

Eight women then sing a blessing to a separate melody. Eventually, the chorus returns with these words, gradually proceeding offstage:

Treulich bewacht bleibet zurück, wo euch der Segen der Liebe bewahr'! Siegreicher Mut, Minne und Glück eint euch in Treue zum seligsten Paar. Streiter der Tugend, bleibe daheim! Zierde der Jugend, bleibe daheim! Rauschen des Festes seid nun entronnen, Wonne des Herzens sei euch gewonnen! Duftender Raum, zur Liebe geschmückt, nahm euch nun auf, dem Glanze entrückt. Treulich bewacht bleibet zurück, wo euch der Segen der Liebe bewahr'! Siegreicher Mut, Minne und Glück eint euch in Treue zum seligsten Paar.

Faithfully guarded, remain behind where the blessing of love shall preserve you! Triumphant courage, love and happiness join you in faith as the happiest of couples. Champion of youth, remain here! Jewel of youth, remain here! Flee now the splendows of the wedding feast, may the delights of the heart be yours! This sweet-smelling room, decked for love, has now taken you, away from the splendour. Faithfully guarded, remain behind where the blessing of love shall preserve you! Triumphant courage, love and happiness join you in faith as the happiest of couples.

[edit] External links

• String Quartet Sound Clip of Bridal Chorus in Real Media Format
• Easybyte - free easy piano arrangement of "Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin" plus midi sound file.
• Opernführer - Synopsis, libretto, and highlights for Wagner operas.