Excerpt from Lohengrin: Romantic Opera, in Three Acts Henry I, surnamed "The Fowler," King of Germany, has arrived at Antwerp for the purpose of raising an army with which to oppose the Hungarians, who are about to invade his dominions. At the time of the King's visit, Brabant is in a state of great excitement, owing to a report that the youthful Godfrey has been murdered by his sister Elsa. Denouncing Elsa, Telramund, the husband of Ortrud, daughter of the Prince of Friesland, claims his right to the Dukedom of Brabant, and offers to meet in mortal combat anyone ready to champion the cause of Elsa. Elsa calmly announces her innocence, but the King is compelled to allow the trial by battle. The Herald proclaims" Who will do battle here for life or death for Elsa of Brabant?" and the four trumpeters sound. At first there is no response, and the anxiety of Elsa's many sympathizers is intense. Elsa kneels in prayer when suddenly in the distance appears a boat drawn by a white swan; in the boat stands a knight clad in silver armor. The stranger steps ashore and after dismissing the swan, offers his service for the defence of Elsa upon the condition that she accept him as husband without ever inquiring his name or place of origin. Elsa gratefully accepts; a fierce battle then ensues between Telramund and the stranger knight, in which the former is defeated and deprived of the title he coveted, the just claims of innocence of Elsa being acknowledged by all as proved. Telramund and Ortrud, disgraced, endeavour to form some plot by which their fortunes may be retrieved. Ortrud approaches Elsa with assumed humility and then poisons her mind by suggesting the wisdom of inquiring the reason of the mystery attending her champion's name. When the wedding procession is about to enter the church, both Telramund and Ortrud appear on the steps, and Tellramund declares to the people that his defeat was only accomplished by witchcraft. However the interruption docs not avail and the wedding ceremony is accomplished. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from Lohengrin: A Romantic Opera in Three Acts Act II. - Telramund and Ortrud (his wife) are watching outside the Palace, which resounds with mirth and revelry; they are determined yet to compass theruin of Elsa and Lohengrin, and be reinstated in their former rank. Elsa appears on the balcony, and to her Ortrud makes a piteous appeal, which so effectually moves Elsa to compassion, that she promises to Obtain the reprieve of Telramund's sentence. She offers to shelter Ortrud for the night, who amid false protestations of gratitude, affects concern for the uncertainty Of Elsa's future happiness; and contrives to insinuate the first germs of suspicion in Elsa's mind. They enter the abode of Elsa. The retainers and vassals assemble to form the bridal procession. Ortrud appears in the train Of Elsa's ladies; arrived at the steps of'the Minster, she cannot restrain her haughty temper, and disputes Elsa's right of precedence; in the midst of the ensuing commotion. The King and Lohengrin enter. Lohengrin reproves his' bride for holding converse With the evil - minded woman; they are proceeding to the church when Telramund interposes and accuses Lohengrin of sorcery, alleging the strange manner of his coming amongst them, and the mystery in which his name and rank are shrouded, in support of the declaration. The faith of the King and his Knights in Lohengrin however remains unshaken doubts for a moment overwhelm Elsa, but she casts them aside; the train finally enters the church and they are iinited. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.