Richard Wagner

Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral: Gesegnet soll sie schreiten

Finished in 1848 and premiered in 1950 in Weimar, Germany, Richard Wagner's (1813-1883) LOHENGRIN tells a story of a tragic medieval German romance in the Knight of the Swan tradition. Elsa, a princess in Brabant, is rescued and wedded by a knight in shining armor who insists on remaining nameless. While everyone is familiar with the famous wedding march from the opera (commonly referred to today as "Here Comes the Bride"), "Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral" or "Solemn Procession to the Cathedral" is the actual wedding march, with Elsa and a long train of ladies proceeding slowly and ascending the steps of the cathedral. Musically expressing Elsa's innocent yearning and growing expectation, the choir sings as the orchestra accompanies. This complete excerpt of Act II, Scene 4 includes the very beginning of the next scene to offer cadence options. Instrumentation: 3.2+EH.2+BCl.3: 4.3.3.1: Timp: Str (4-4-3-3-3 in set): 4 OnStgTpt: Mx Chor. The choral score is available separately as item 36-A223592.