Lohengrin • Sharon/Thielemann • Bayreuth 2018 • HD

Richard Wagner • Lohengrin 2018-2022 •
Der «E-Werk+Libellen-Lohengrin» von Sharon/Rauch •

König Heinrich: Georg Zeppenfeld
Lohengrin: Piotr Bezala
Elsa von Brabant: Anja Harteros
Friedrich von Telramund: Tomasz Konieczny
Ortrud: Waltraud Meier
Der Heerufer des Königs: Egilis Silins
Brabantische Edle:
• Michael Gniffke
• Eric Laporte
• Kay Stiefermann
• Timo Rihonen

Kapitel:
00:00:00 Vorspiel
00:07:55 1. Akt – Hört! Grafen, Edle, Freie von Brabant!
00:12:24 Dank, König, dir, dass du zu richten kamst!
00:18:42 Seht hin! Sie naht, die hart Beklagte!
00:21:45 Einsam in trüben Tagen
00:28:34 Des Ritters will ich wahren
00:31:00 Ohn Antwort ist der Ruf verhallt
00:35:20 Nun sei bedankt, mein lieber Schwan!
00:38:53 Zum Kampf für eine Magd zu stehn
00:43:55 Welch holde Wunder muss ich sehen?
00:47:22 Nun höret mich und achtet wohl
00:49:30 Mein Herr und Gott, nun ruf ich dich
00:54:01 Durch Gotte Sieg ist jetzt dein Leben mein
00:58:19 2. Akt – Einleitung
01:01:40 Erhebe dich, Genossin meiner Schmach!
01:05:25 Was macht dich in so wilder Klage doch vergehn?
01:09:09 Du wilde Seherin, wie willst du doch
01:16:25 Euch Lüften, die mein Klagen
01:19:44 Elsa! – Wer ruft?
01:23:44 Entweihte Götter! Helft jetzt meiner Rache!
01:27:40 Wie kann ich solche Huld dir lohnen
01:34:13 So zieht das Unheil in dies Haus!
01:37:41 In Frühn versammelt uns der Ruf
01:39:39 Des Königs Wort und Will tu ich euch kund
01:46:06 Nun hört, dem Lande will er uns entführen
01:47:52 Gesegnet soll sie schreiten
01:53:19 Zurück, Elsa! Nicht länger will ich dulden
02:00:11 Du fürchterliches Weib, steh ab von ihr!
02:07:50 Welch ein Geheimnis muss der Held bewahren?
02:12:18 Mein Held, entgegne kühn dem Ungetreuen!
02:19:42 3. Akt – Einleitung
02:22:44 Treulich geführt ziehet dahin
02:27:35 Das süsse Lied verhallt; wir sind allein
02:31:34 Wie hehr erkenn ich unserer Liebe Wesen!
02:34:40 Atmest du nicht mit mir die süssen Düfte?
02:39:00 Höchstes Vertraun hast du mir schon zu danken
02:46:47 Weh, nun ist all unser Glück dahin!
02:51:04 Heil König Heinrich!
02:57:03 Was bringen die? Was tun sie kund?
02:58:37 Macht Platz dem Helden von Brabant!
03:04:43 In fernem Land, unnahbar euren Schritten
03:11:26 Mein lieber Schwan!
03:16:13 Fahr heim, du stolzer Helde!
03:20:00 Applaus
03:26:25 Abspann

Bayreuth Festival Orchestra and Chorus
Conductor: Christian Thielemann
Chorus Master: Eberhard Friedrich
Director: Yuval Sharon
Stage Design & Costumes: Neo Rauch & Rosa Loy
Lighting: Reinhard Traub
Video Director: Michael Beyer

Hear ye, counts, nobles and freemen of Brabant! Heinrich, King of the Germans, has come to this place to confer with you according to the law of the realm. Do you willingly obey his command? We willingly obey his command. Welcome, 0 King, to Brabant! God greet you, worthy men of Brabant!

Not for nothing have I journeyed here to you. I come to remind you of the empire’s plight. Must I first tell of the scourge that has so often visited German soil from the East? In the furthest marches of the realm women and children were forced to pray:

“Dear Lord, save us from the wrath of the Hungarians!” But it was I, head of the empire, who saw fit to plan an end to such dreadful humiliation. Victory in battle won us peace for nine years. This I used to protect the empire: I ordered fortified towns and castles to be built

And conscripted men to form a resistance army. But now the time is up, the tribute is denied and with wild threats the enemy is arming itself. Now it is time to defend the empire’s honour. East and West, to all I say: let every acre of German soil put forth troops of soldiers.

Never again shall anyone abuse the German empire! Hurrah! For God and the honour of the German empire! I come to you now, men of Brabant, to summon you to join my army at Mainz. But how grieved and sad I am to see you living in discord without a prince!

I am told of confusion and wild feuding; thus I call on you, Friedrich of Telramund! I know you to be a man of the highest virtue. Speak now, that I may know the reason for this strife. I thank you, 0 King, for having come to pass judgement! I speak the truth,

Being incapable of lying. The Duke of Brabant lay upon his deathbed when he assigned his children to my care: Elsa, the girl, and Gottfried, the boy. Faithfully I tended his great youth. His life was the jewel of my honour. Imagine, 0 King, my grim sorrow when Iwas robbed of this my honour’s jewel!

One day Elsa took the boy to the wood for a walk but she returned without him. Feigning concern, she asked after her brother for, having strayed a little from his side, she claimed she could not find him again. All attempts to find the lost youth proved futile. When I pressed Elsa with threats,

Her pale trembling and apprehension proved to us her terrible crime. I was seized with a horror of the girl. The right to her hand, granted me by her father, I willingly renounced there and then and took instead a wife who pleased me: Ortrud, scion of Radbod, Prince of Frisia.

Now I bring a charge against Elsa of Brabant. I accuse her of fratricide. And I rightfully claim this land for myself since I am next in line to the Duke and my wife is of the house that once gave this land its princes. You hear the charge, 0 King. Pass rightful judgement!

Telramund charges her with a dreadful crime! How this accusation fills me with horror! What a fearful charge you utter! How could such a crime be possible? My lord, rapt in dreams is the vain girl who so arrogantly spurned my hand. Thus do I accuse her of a secret amour.

She clearly thought that, once rid of her brother, she as Duchess of Brabant could rightfully refuse her hand to a vassal and openly cherish her secret lover. Call the accused! Let the trial commence! May God grant me wisdom! Shall the trial be held in this place by might and right?

May this shield not protect me until I have passed judgement both strict and fair! May my sword not return to its scabbard until it sees justice done through judgement! Where the King’s shield hangs, there shall you now see justice done through judgement! Thus do I call loudly and clearly: Elsa!

Appear at this place! Behold! The accused approaches! Ah! How resplendent and pure she looks! He who dared make such an accusation must be quite sure of her guilt! Are you Elsa of Brabant? Do you recognize me as yourjudge? Then I further ask you: do you understand the serious charge brought against you here?

What have you to say against the charge? So do you admit your guilt? My poor brother! How strange! What peculiar behaviour! Speak, Elsa! What have you to confide to me? Lonely, in troubled days I prayed to the Lord. My most heartfelt grief I poured out in prayer.

And from my groans there issued a plaintive sound that grew into a mighty roar as it echoed through the skies. I listened as it receded into the distance until my ear could scarce hear it. My eyes closed and I fell into a deep sleep. How extraordinary! Is she dreaming? Is she enraptured?

Elsa, defend yourself before the court! In splendid, shining armour a knight approached, a man ofsuch pure virtue as I had never seen before: a golden horn at his side, leaning on a sword, thus he appeared to me from nowhere, this warrior true. With kindly gestures he gave me comfort.

I will wait for the knight. He shall be my champion! May the grace of heaven preserve us that we may clearly see who is guilty here! Friedrich, you honourable man, think carefully: whom are you accusing? Her dreamy state deceives me not. You hear how she raves about a lover!

I have sound reason for the accusation I make. There is a reliable witness of her crime. Yet to have to dispel your doubts with a witness would truly offend my pride! Here I am, here is my sword. Who of you dares fight against my honour?

None of us! We will only fight for you! And you, 0 King, do you recall how I have served you, how I defeated the wild Dane in battle? It would be a sad day if! needed you to remind me! I freely admit that you are of the highest virtue.

In nobody else’s protection would I rather see Brabant. God alone must decide in this matter! Ordeal by battle! Let it begin! I ask you, Friedrich, Count of Telramund: do you agree to a fight to the death, to defend your honour in an ordeal by battle? Yes!

And now I ask you, Elsa of Brabant: do you agree to let a fight to the death take place here, to let a champion represent you in an ordeal by battle? Yes! Whom do you choose as your champion? Learn now the name of her lover! Pay heed!

I will await the knight, he shall be my champion! Hearwhat reward I offer to the one sent by God: in my father’s lands he shall wear the crown. I shall consider myself happy, if he takes all I own. If he wishes to call me spouse, I shall give him all that I am!

A wondrous prize, were it God’s to give! He who fights for it would be wagering a great deal! It is already midday, the sun stands at its zenith. It is time. Let the call go forth! Let him who has come to fight in the trial by combat for Elsa of Brabant come fonNard!

The call has died away unanswered. Behold, did I accuse her falsely? Things do not bode well for her. I have right on my side! I beseech you, beloved King, one more call to my knight! He is surely along way off and could not hear. Send out one more call to the trial!

Let him who has come to fight in the trial by combat for Elsa of Brabant come fonNard! In dismal silence God passesjudgement. You carried my lament to him, he came to me at your command. O Lord, tell my knight now to help me in my need!

Let me see him now, as I saw him then. As I saw him then, let him be near me! Behold! Behold! What a strange and wondrous sight! A swan? A swan is pulling a boat towards us! A knight is standing upright in it! How his armour shines!

The eye is dazzled by such splendour! Behold, he is coming ever closer! A knight and a swan! What a strange and wondrous sight! He is coming ever closer to the shore! Behold! He’s coming! A miracle has happened! A miracle never before seen or heard! We thank you, Lord our God,

For protecting this weak woman! Greetings, you God-sent hero! Greetings, God-sent man! I thank you, my dear swan! Go back across the waters to whence your boat brought me. Return again only to bring us happiness! Thus will you have carried out your duty faithfully! Farewell! Farewell, my dear swan!

What sweet and blissful trembling comes over us! What blessed power holds us spellbound! How fair and noble to behold is he whom such a miracle brought ashore! Hail, King Heinrich! May God’s blessing be with your sword! May your great and glorious name never vanish from this earth! I thank you!

Do I rightly recognize the power that brought you to this land? Do you come to us as one sent by God? To stand in combat for a maiden accused of a great crime is why I have been sent. Now let me see whether I am right in coming to her.

Speak then, Elsa of Brabant. Ifl am appointed as your champion, will you without fear or trepidation entrust yourself to my protection? My knight, my saviour! Take me to you! I give to you all that I am! If I win this fight for you, do you wish me to become your husband?

As surely as I lie at your feet so will I freely give you my body and soul. Elsa, if I am to become your husband, if I am to protect the country and people for you, if nothing is ever to take me from you, then you must promise me one thing:

Never shall you ask me nor trouble yourself to know whence I journeyed, what my name is or what my origin! Never, my lord, shall the question come to me! Elsa! Do you understand what I am saying? Never shall you ask me nor trouble yourself to know whence I journeyed,

What my name is or what my origin! My protector! My angel! My redeemer, who firmly believes in my innocence! What crime of doubt could be greater than that which would rob you of credence? As truly as you protect me in my need so shall I faithfully honour your command! Elsa! I love you!

What wondrous thing do I see? Has a spell been cast over me? I feel my heart fail at the sight of this noble, blessed man! Hearye! To all of you, people and nobles alike, I now proclaim: Elsa of Brabant is free of all guilt! That your charge was false, Count of Telramund,

Will now be shown to you through God’s judgement! Stand down from the fight! Ifyou risk it, you will neverwin! He is protected by the highest power, so ofwhat use is your brave sword? We your loyal friends beseech you! Defeat, bitter remorse awaits you! Sooner dead than a coward!

I know not what magic brought you here, stranger, who stands so bold before me. But your arrogant threats will never stir me for I am not wont to lie. Thus I will take up the fight with you and hope for rightful victory! Command the fight, 0 King!

Come fonNard, three men for each combatant, and measure out the battle ring! Hear me, listen carefully: let no man disturb this fight! Keep away from the battle ring for if anyone disrespects the law of peace, if freeman, he shall pay with his hand, if serf, he shall pay with his head!

Iffreeman, he shall pay with his hand, if serf, he shall pay with his head! Hear ye likewise, combatants to be judged: faithfully respect the law of battle! Let not the deceit and cunning of magic spoil the nature of the ordeal! God will pass rightful judgement,

So trust in him, not in your own strength! God will pass rightful judgement on me, so I shall trust in him, not in my own strength! My Lord and God, I call upon you to be present at this fight! Proclaim through the swords victory a verdict

That clearly shows what is deceit and what is truth! May he who is innocent fight with the arm of a hero and may he who is false be sapped of strength! So help us, God, in this hour, for our wisdom is but folly! You will now make known yourjudgement.

– I faithfully come before you. – I rely on His strength. – My Lord and God, I call upon you! – You will now make known yourjudgement. Dear Lord, abandon not my honour! My Lord and God, thus I do not hesitate. May he who is innocent fight with the arm of a hero

And may he who is false be sapped of strength. So help us God in this hour for our wisdom is but folly! Make known your true judgement, O Lord our God, do not hesitate! Through God’s victory your life is now mine! I return it to you. May you devote it to repentance!

Victory! Victory! Victory! Hail! Hail to you, O hero! Would that I could find tunes ofjubilation equal to your glory, worthily to laud you, tunes rich in the highest praise! In you I must melt away, before you I fade into nothingness. That I may be blissfully happy take all that I am!

Ring out, tune of victory, greet the hero with the highest praise! Glory be to yourjourney! Praise be to your coming! Hail to your origin, protector of the meek! Glory be to yourjourney! Hail to your origin! You have defended the right of the meek. Praise be to your coming, hail to your origin!

Who is it that beat him? Overwhom I am powerless? I gained victory through your innocence alone; now you shall be richly rewarded for all that you have suffered! Hail to yourjourney, to your coming! Will this man reduce me to despair, are all my hopes no more?

That I may be blissfully happy, take all that I am! Ring out, tune of victory, greet the hero with the highest praise! Glory be to yourjourney! Praise be to your coming! Hail to your origin, protector of the meek! Glory be to yourjourney! Hail to your origin! Are all my hopes no more?

My glory, my honour is no more! All hail and praise to you! Arise, companion of my shame! Daybreak must not find us here. I cannot go. I am bound here as if by a spell. From the splendour of this, our enemy’s feast, let me suck a terrible, deadly poison

That will end our shame and theirjoy. O fearful woman, what spell binds me to you still? Why do I not leave you be and run away, away, away to where my conscience might find peace again! Through you I lost my honour, all my glory.

Never again shall praise adorn me, my knighthood is but shame! I am condemned as an outlaw, my sword lies smashed, my coat of arms broken and cursed is the house of my fathers! Wherever I turn I am shunned, condemned; lest he be defiled by my countenance even the robber flees me!

Through you I lost my honour, all my glory; never again shall praise adorn me, my knighthood is but shame! I am condemned as an outlaw, my sword lies smashed, my coat of arms broken and cursed is the house of my fathers! Would that I had chosen death for I am so wretched!

I have lost my honour, my honour is no more! What drives you to such wild lament? I have been robbed of the weapon with which I would strike you down! Peace-loving Count of Telramund! Why do you mistrust me? You dare ask me? Was it not your evidence,

Yourword that lured me into accusing the innocent one? Did you not lie to me, saying that from your wild castle your own eyes bore witness to the crime carried out in the dark wood around you, that you saw Elsa herself drown her brother in the pond there?

Did you not ensnare my proud heart by prophesying that the ancient House of Radbod would blossom anew and rule in Brabant? Did you not induce me to renounce the hand of Elsa, the innocent one, and take you for my wife because you are the last of Radbod’s line?

Ah, your words out me to the quick! Yes, I said and testified all this to you! And did you not make me, whose name was esteemed, a man of the highest virtue, the shameful companion of your lies? – Who lied? – You!

Did God not pass judgement and punish me for having done so? God? Oh, horror! How dreadful his name sounds from your lips! Ah, do you call your cowardice God? – Ortrud! – Do you mean to threaten me? Me, a woman? Oh, you coward! Ifyou had but addressed such grim threats to him

Who now sends you into the misery of exile you would have bought victory in place of ignominy! Ha, he who knew how to match him would find him weaker than a child! The weaker he was, the greater was God’s might in battle! God’s might? Ha, ha!

Give me the power and I will surely show you what a weak god it is that protects him. O wild seer, do you mean by secret means to enchant my reason anew? The revellers have lain down in luxurious rest. Sit down beside me! The hour has come

For my prophetic eye to enlighten you! Do you know who this hero is who was brought ashore by a swan? No! What would you give to find out if I told you that, were he forced to reveal his name and origin, he would lose all the strength

That is granted him by magic alone? Ha! Now I understand his interdict! Listen! Nobody here has the power to draw that secret from him save she whom he so strongly forbade ever to ask him the question. So Elsa must be brought to the point where she asks him the question?

Ha, how quickly, how well you take my meaning! But how can that be done? Listen! The most important thing is not to flee this place. So use your wits! To arousejust suspicion in her come fonNard and accuse him of having used magic to confound the trial! Ha! Deception and the cunning of magic!

Should this fail, we can always use force! Not for nothing am I versed in the darkest of arts; so heed what I say to you! If any creature that owes its strength to magic should lose but the smallest part of its body,

It will immediately show itself to be as powerless as it really is. Ha, were that true! Had you but cut off a finger, even just the joint of a finger, during the fight, the knight would have been in your power! Oh, horror! What are you telling me! I imagined myself beaten by God

But the trial was confounded by deception. Through magic’s cunning I lost my honour! But could I still avenge my shame, could I prove my honesty? Could I smash her lover’s deception and win back my honour? O woman, whom I see before me in the night,

If you are deceiving me again, woe betide you! Ha, how you rave! Be calm and collected! I will teach you the sweet delights of revenge! May the work of revenge be conjured up from the wild night of my breast! You who are lost in sweet sleep, know that disaster awaits you!

Ye heavens, so oft filled with my sad laments, now I must gratefully tell you of the happiness that is mine! – It is she! – Elsa! He came through you, you smiled on hisjourney; on wild ocean waves you faithfully preserved him. She shall curse the hour in which I now behold her face!

To dry my tears I have oft implored you; cool now my cheek which burns with love! – Away! Leave this place awhile! – Why? She is for me. Her knight is yours! Cool now my cheek which burns with love! Elsa! Who calls?

How plaintive is the sound of my name as it rings out through the night! Elsa! Is my voice so strange to you? Will you completely disown the poor creature whom you are casting into the furthest reaches of exile? Ortrud! Is that you? What are you doing here, unfortunate woman?

“Unfortunate woman”! How right you are to call me that! In the distant solitude of the wood, where I was living in peace and quiet, what did I do to you? I was joyless, merely lamenting the misfortune that has long troubled my family. What did I do to you?

In God’s name, what are you accusing me of? Was it I who brought you suffering? However could you envy me the happiness of being chosen as the wife of the man you so gladly scorned? Merciful God! What am I to make of this? He must have been beguiled by some unhappy madness

To have accused you, the innocent one, of a crime. Now his heart is torn by remorse, he is damned to grim repentance. God ofjustice! Oh, you are happy! After a brief period of sweetly innocent suffering you now see life smiling upon you. You may gladly take leave of me,

Sending me down the road to death, lest the grim spectre of my misery ever visit your feasts again! I’d scarce do justice to your goodness, O mighty God who smiles upon me so, if I were to cast aside the misfortune that stoops before me now in the dust! Never! Ortrud! Wait for me!

I will take you in myself! Ye profaned gods! Help me now in my revenge! Punish the ignominy that you have suffered here! Strengthen me in the service of your holy cause! Destroy the vile delusions of the apostate! Odin! I call on you, O god of strength! Freya! Hear me, O exalted one!

Bless my deceit and hypocrisy that I may be successful in my revenge! Ortrud, where are you? Here at your feet. Dear God! Must I behold you thus, you whom I have only seen in pride and splendour! I choke with pity to see you humbled thus before me!

Stand up! Oh, spare me your supplications! Ifyou bore me hate, I forgive you; and what you have already suffered through me I beg you to forgive me in turn! I thank you for showing me such goodness! He who tomorrow is to become my husband, I shall appeal to his loving nature

That he may show mercy to Friedrich, too. You bind me in fetters of gratitude! At dawn let me see you ready. Adorned in splendid garments, you shall accompany me to the minster. There I shall await my knight to become his wife before God! How can I ever repay such kindness,

For I am powerless and wretched? Ifl can live in your favour, I will always be the beggar! I am left with but one power that no law has yet taken from me. Through it I could perhaps protect you, – save you from the scourge of remorse! – What do you mean?

Let me warn you not to put too blind a trust in your happiness. Lest you be ensnared by misfortune, let me look into the future for you. What misfortune? Could you but comprehend the wondrous origin of this man! May he never leave you as he came to you: by magic!

Piteous creature, can you not understand how a heart can love without harbouring doubts? Have you never known the happiness that is given to us by faith alone? Enter here with me! Let me teach you to know the sweet bliss of true devotion! Turn then to the belief that there is a happiness

Without regret! Ha! This pride! It shall help me – fight her devotion! – Let me teach you to know the sweet bliss of true devotion! She’ll come to regret her arrogance! Thus misfortune enters this house! Fulfil, O woman, what your cunning mind has devised; I feel powerless to stop your work!

The misfortune began with my defeat, now may she fell who brought it upon me! Only one thing do I see before me, urging me on: he who robbed me of my honour shall die! The dawn fanfare bids us assemble, the day promises much! The worthy hero who here performed such miracles

May perchance do many more wondrous deeds! The dawn fanfare bids us assemble, the day promises much! I hereby make known to you the King’s word and wish. So pay heed to what he bids me tell you! Friedrich Telramund has been outlawed for daring to enter the trial by combat in bad faith.

Whosoever shall harbour him orjoin him shall himself be outlawed in accordance with the law of the realm. Accursed be the faithless one whom God’s judgement struck down! May the innocent shun him, may peace and sleep flee him! May he be accursed! Accursed be the faithless one! And further the King proclaims

That the God-sent stranger, whom Elsa wishes to take as her husband, is to be invested with the land and crown of Brabant. But the hero does not wish to be called duke. You shall call him: Protector of Brabant! Great is the long-awaited man! Hail to him who was sent by God!

We will faithfully serve the Protector of Brabant! Now hear what he bids me tell you: today he celebrates his wedding feast with you. But tomorrow you shall come here prepared for battle, to serve the King as soldiers. He himselfspurns the sweet pleasures of rest;

He will lead you on to enjoy the noble fruits of glory! Do not delay in going to battle, the noble one leads you on! Glory will smile upon all those who fight valiantly with him! Come! Do not delay in going to battle, the noble one leads you on!

God sent him to make Brabant great! Now hear, he means to take us from this land! Against an enemy who has never yet threatened us! Such bold beginnings should not be granted him! Who shall stop him, since he has given the order to leave? – I! – Ha! Who are you?

Friedrich! Do my eyes deceive me? You dare show yourself here, the prey of every serf? I will soon dare even more. The truth will dawn radiant before your eyes! He who so boldly commanded you to go to war, him will I accuse ofdeceiving God!

What is this I hear? You rave! What do you intend? Woe unto you! You are lost if the people hear you! Make way! Make way for Elsa, our lady! She is going in faith to the minster. May she be blessed as she proceeds, she who suffered long in humility!

May God guide her, may God protect her step! She approaches, the angelic one, glowing with chaste ardour! Hail to you, O virtuous one! Hail to you, Elsa of Brabant! May you be blessed as you proceed! Hail to you! Hail to you, Elsa of Brabant! Back, Elsa!

No Iongerwill I suffer to follow you like a maid! You shall give me precedence everywhere, you shall humbly bow down before me! What is the woman doing? What sudden change has come over you! Just because I forgot my worth for one single hour, do you think I must only crawl before you?

I dare now to revenge my suffering: I mean to redeem what is due to me! Woe! Did I let myself be led astray by your hypocrisy, you who came to me moaning in the night? How can you arrogantly claim precedence over me, you, spouse of a man condemned by God?

False judgement may have banished my husband but his name was honoured throughout the land. He was called a man of highest virtue, his brave sword was known and feared. But your husband, pray, who here knows him? You yourself are unable to utter his name! What does she proclaim? She blasphemes! Silence her tongue!

Can you utter it, can you tell us whether he is of worthy and noble descent? Or whence the waters brought him to you, when he shall leave you again and whither he shall go? No, you cannot! For to do so would cause him great anguish! Thus did the guileful knight forbid the question!

Ha, does she speak the truth? She slanders him! What terrible charges! How dare she! You blasphemer! Dastardly woman! Hear the answer that I venture to give you! So pure and noble is his being, so virtuous is the worthy man that eternal misfortune shall befall whoever dares to doubt his mission! Indeed!

Did not my dear hero, with God’s aid, defeat your husband in battle? Pray tell, all ye who are here present, which of the two is innocent? Only he! Your hero alone! Ha, the innocence of your hero would soon be tarnished if he had to tell of the magic that gives him such power!

Ifyou do not dare to ask him, we will all rightfully believe that you yourself are torn with worry, that his innocence is not what it seems! Save her from the wicked woman’s hate! Make way! The King approaches! Hail to the King! Hail to the Protector of Brabant!

– What is this dispute? – My lord! O my master! – What is it? – Who dares disturb this procession to the church? What is this dispute we have heard? What do I see? That unholy woman near you? My rescuer! Protect me from this woman! Chide me if! have been disobedient to you!

I saw her grieving before these gates and took her in to ease her misery. Now see how dreadfully she repays my goodness: she chides me for trusting you too much! You fearful woman, keep away from her! You will never be victorious here! Tell me, Elsa, did she manage to poison your heart?

Come, shed these tears in joy within! O King! Ye princes, beguiled by deception! Stop! What does he want here? Cursed one! Leave this place! Listen to me! Away! Leave this place! Listen to me, for you have done me a dreadful wrong! Away! Leave this place! The trial by combat was defamed, deceived!

You are beguiled by the cunning of magic! Seize the wretch! Listen! He blasphemes! He whom I see in splendour before me, him do I accuse of magic! May the power he won through cunning be scattered as dust before God’s breath! How carelessly you conducted the trial that yet robbed me of my honour,

For you spared him one question when he came to do battle. You shall not prevent that question now for I shall put it to him. His name, rank and honour I ask him loudly before all the world! Who is this who sailed ashore, drawn by a wild swan?

If he makes use of such magical beasts, I suspect his purity is an illusion! Now he must answer the charge. If he can, then I was justly punished. If he cannot, you shall see that his innocence is in doubt! What serious charges! How will he answer them? I need not stand here

And justify myself to you who so forgot his honour! I can resist the doubts of the wicked, for innocence will never yield to them! Since he does not consider me worthy I call upon you, your Majesty! Will he say that you too are ignoble and refuse to answer your question?

Yes, I can resist even the King and the highest council of princes! The burden of doubt will not trouble them, they saw my good deed! Only one person must I answer: Elsa! How she trembles! What secret must the hero harbour? I see her brooding wildly. Doubt is stirring within her breast!

If it causes him anguish, may his tongue guard the secret! Has the lying tongue of hatred beguiled her? Doubt is stirring within her breast! The secret he conceals would bring him disaster, if he revealed it before all the world. I see her brooding wildly.

How woefully ungrateful I should be to betray my saviour by forcing him to reveal it! O heaven, protect her heart from danger! Ifl knew his destiny… May the innocent one never be plagued with doubts! …I would keep it secret! He proved his worth to us through his deed.

He is vanquished, once she puts the question to him! Yet my breast is torn with doubt! We will protect him from danger, he proved his worth to us through his deed. Ifl but knew his destiny! We will protect him, the noble one! My hero, boldly answer the traitor!

You are too noble to shy away from his accusations! We stand with you, never shall we regret that we hailed you as a true hero! You knights shall not regret believing in me even if my name and origin are never uttered!

– Let me tell you a way of being sure! – Go away! Let me take from him but the smallest part, just a fingertip, and I swear that you shall clearly see what he is keeping from you – and, faithful to you, he shall never leave your side! – Ha! Never!

I shall be nearyou tonight. Just call: it will be done quickly and painlessly. Elsa, who are you talking to? Away from her, accursed ones! May I never see either of you near her again! Elsa, arise! In your hand, in your devotion lies the pledge of all happiness!

Does the power of doubt still trouble you? Do you wish to put the question to me? My rescuer, who brought me salvation! My hero, in whom I must lose myself! High above the power of all doubt my love will stand. Hail to you, Elsa! Let us now go before God!

Hail, hail to you! Hail Elsa of Brabant! Hail to you, Elsa! May you be blessed as you proceed! Hail to you, virtuous one! God be with you! Hail Elsa of Brabant! 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, bedecked for love, now takes you in, away from the splendour. Faithfully guided, draw now in

To where the blessing of love shall preserve you! Triumphant courage, love so pure, joins you in faith as the happiest of couples. As God blessed you in happiness, so do we bless you in joy. Watched over by Iove’s happiness, may you long remember this hour! 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 virtue, remain here! Jewel of youth, remain here! Flee now the bustle of the wedding feast, may the delights of the heart be yours! This sweet-smelling room, bedecked for love,

Has now taken you in, 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. The sweet song fades; we are alone, alone for the first time since we met.

Now we are cut off from the world, no eavesdropper shall hear the salutations of the heart. Elsa, my wife! Sweet, pure bride! Tell me now whether you are happy! How unfeeling it would be of me to say I was merely happy when I am filled with heavenlyjoy!

As I feel my heart go out to you, I breathe delights that God alone bestows! If, 0 fair one, you are able to say you are happy, then you fill me too with heavenly joy! As I feel my heart go out to you, I breathe delights that God alone bestows!

How noble is the nature of our love! Though we never met, we sensed each other. I was chosen to be your champion. Love paved my way to you. Your eyes told me you were free of guilt; your countenance compelled me to serve your grace. But I had already seen you,

For you had come to me in a wondrous dream. When in waking hours I saw you standing before me, I knew you had come by God’s command. I wanted to dissolve before your gaze, like a stream I wanted to wind around your feet, like a sweet-smelling flower in the meadow,

I wanted to bow enraptured beneath your feet. Is this merely love? What shall I call this word, inexpressibly divine as your name, which I, alas, may never know, which I may never use to address my most revered! Elsa! How sweet my name sounds, coming from your lips!

Will you not grant me the fair sound of yours? If only, once we have attained the stillness of love, you might allow my lips to pronounce it. My dear wife! Then, all alone, when everyone is asleep, the world would never hear it! Can you not smell these sweet fragrances?

How wondrously they delight the senses! Mysteriously they approach through the air and unquestioningly I surrender to their magic. Such was the magic thatjoined me to you when I first saw you, O fair one; I did not need to know your origin: my eyes saw you and my heart understood at once.

Just as these fragrances wondrously beguile my senses, though they approach me from the enigmatic night, so did your innocence enchant me, even if I did find you suspected of a great crime. Oh, ifonly I could prove myself worthy of you, ifonly I could do more than simply melt away in you;

Ifl could do some service to unite us, if I could but see myself suffer for you! As you found me accused of a great crime, so I wish that I knew you too to be in need; so that I might courageously carry a burden,

I wish I knew of some trouble that threatens you! Is this the nature of the secret that your tongue keeps from the world? Perhaps misfortune awaits you, if it were revealed to the world? If this were so and if I knew it, ifl had it within my power,

No threats would ever wrest it from me, for you I would go to my death! My beloved! Oh, make me proud through your confidence, lest I appear utterly unworthy! Let me know your secret, so that I may clearly see who you are! Ah, hush, Elsa! Reveal your noble worth to my devotion!

Tell me without remorse whence you came, let the power of silence be proved through me! You should already thank me for showing you the greatest trust, since I gladly believed the oath you swore. Ifyou never falter before my command, I shall consider you to be far above all other women!

Come to me, O sweet, pure one! Be near to my ardent heart, so that the eyes in which I saw all my happiness may shine upon me softly! Oh, grant me that in sweet raptures I may breathe in your breath! Oh, let me clasp you to me firmly,

So that I may be happy in you! Your love must be the highest recompense for that which I left behind for your sake. No destiny in all God’s world could have been nobler than mine. Ifthe King offered me his crown, I should rightfully reject it. The only reward for my sacrifice

Is your steadfast love! Thus do I ask you to cast aside all doubt, may your love be my proud recompense! For I come not from darkness and suffering, I come from splendour and delight! Dear God, what is this that I hear! What testimony have you spoken!

You meant to enchant me but now misery is my lot! The destiny you left behind was your greatest happiness; you came to me from a place ofdelights and you long to return there! How am I, poor wretch, to believe that my devotion can ever satisfy you?

The day will come when I am robbed of you because you regret your love for me! Do not torture yourself so! It is you who are torturing me! Am I to count the days that you will remain with me? Worrying about how long you will stay will drain the colour from my cheek,

Then you will hurry from me and Iwill remain here in misery! Never shall your charm diminish, ifyou remain untainted by doubt! Ah, what power do I have to bind you to me? Full of magic is your being, a miracle brought you here; how can I ever hope to be happy?

How can I ever be sure of you? Did you hear nothing? Did you not hear anyone approaching? Elsa! Ah, no! But there — it’s the swan! There he comes, swimming across the water. You call to him, he brings the boat! Elsa! Stop! Calm your madness! Nothing can bring me peace,

Nothing can tear me from my madness except — even if it costs my life — knowing who you are! Elsa, do you want to take that risk? Ill-fated, darling man, hear the question I must ask you! – Tell me your name! – Stop! – Whence did you come? – Woe unto you!

What is your origin? Woe unto us, what have you done? Save yourself! Your sword! Woe, now all our happiness is gone! Eternal God, have mercy on me! Take the dead man before the King that he may be judged! To prepare her to be led before the King adorn Elsa, my dearwife!

There will I answer her, so that she may know her husband’s origin. Hail, King Heinrich! I thank you, good men of Brabant! How my heart will swell with pride ifl find such mighty throngs of troops on every acre of German soil! Let the empire’s enemy now approach, we will meet him with courage:

From the barren wastes of the East he shall never dare attack again! For German soil, the German sword! Thus shall the empire’s might be proved! For German soil, the German sword! Thus shall the empire’s might be proved! Where now is he whom God sent to make Brabant great and glorious?

What’s that they bring? What does this mean? They are Telramund’s men! Whom do you bring here? What am I about to see? Your looks fill me with horror! This is the wish of the Protector of Brabant; he will tell you who this is! Behold, Elsa approaches, the virtuous maid!

How pale and melancholy she looks! How sad you look! Does the departure affect you so deeply? Make way for the hero of Brabant! Hail! Hail to the hero of Brabant! Hail to your coming, worthy hero! Those whom you so faithfully called to war await you, eager to do battle,

Confident of victory under you. We await you, eager to do battle, confident of victory under your command. My Lord and King, hear my words: those brave knights whom I have called, I cannot lead them into battle! God help us! What cruel words he speaks! I have not come as a brother in arms;

Hear me now as a plaintiff before you! First, I bring a complaint before you and ask you to pass rightful judgement: since this man attacked me in the night, say whether I was right to slay him? As your hand struck him down on earth, so shall God punish him in heaven!

Secondly, you shall hear another charge. Before all here present I now complain that the woman whom God made my wife has let herself be tricked into betraying me! Elsa! How could that happen? How could you do such a wrong? You all heard her promise me that she would never ask who I am.

But now she has broken her solemn vow: her heart has succumbed to perfidious counsel! To quell her doubt’s wild questionings I shall no Iongerwithhold the answer. I rightly refused to yield to my enemy’s entreaties but now I must reveal my name and origin. Judge now if! must shun the daylight!

Before all here present, before King and empire, I now faithfully reveal my secret. Hear now whether or not I am equal to you in nobility! What incredible thing must I now learn? Oh, if only he could be spared this enforced revelation! In a far-off land, inaccessible to your steps,

There is a castle by the name of Monsalvat. A light-filled temple stands within it, more beautiful than anything on earth. Therein is a vessel of wondrous blessing that is watched over as a sacred relic. So that the purest of men might guard it it was brought down by a host of angels.

Every year a dove descends from heaven to fortify its wondrous power: it is called the Grail, and the purest, most blessed faith is imparted through it to the knights. Whoever is chosen to serve the Grail is armed by it with heavenly power; the darts of evil prove powerless against him;

Once he has seen it, the shadow of death flees him. Even he who is sent by it to a distant land, appointed as a champion of virtue, will not be robbed of its holy power, provided that he, as its knight, remains unrecognized there. For so wondrous is the blessing of the Grail

That, when it is revealed, it shuns the eye of the uninitiated. Thus no man should doubt the knight for, if he is recognized, then he must leave you. Now hear how I reward the forbidden question! I was sent to you by the Grail: my father Parzival wears its crown;

I, its knight, am called Lohengrin. To hear him thus attest his sacred origin causes my eyes to brim with tears of blessed joy! I swoon! What dreadful darkness! I gasp for air, wretch that I am! The swan! Behold, it approaches once again! The swan! Woe, it approaches! Oh, horror! Ah, the swan!

The Grail sends for its Iaggard knight! My dear swan! Ah, how gladly I would have spared you this last, sad journey! At the end of a year your time of service would have ended; then, freed by the power of the Grail, I would have seen you in a different form! O Elsa!

I had longed to witness just one year of happiness by your side! Then your brother, whom you thought dead, would have returned, accompanied by the blessed retinue of the Grail. When he comes home, when I shall be far away, give him this horn, this sword and this ring.

The horn shall bring him succour in danger, the sword shall bring him victory in wild battle, but the ring shall remind him of me who once freed you, too, from shame and need! Farewell! Farewell, my sweet wife! Farewell! The Grail will be angry with me if! stay longer! Farewell!

Woe! You noble, gracious man! What terrible distress you cause us! Go home, you proud hero, so I may joyfully tell the foolish girl who it was that brought you in the boat! By the chain that I wrapped around him I clearly recognized this swan: he is the heir of Brabant!

Thank you for driving away the knight! Now the swan will lead him home! Ifthe hero had stayed any longer he would have freed the brother, too! Loathsome woman! Ha, what a crime you have confessed to in your brazen scorn! Learn how the gods take vengeance on those who no Iongerworship them!

Behold the Duke of Brabant! He shall be your leader! My husband! Woe!