【Lohengrin】Synopsis, Character Map

The knight I saw in my dream will fight for me.

I will fight for Elsa. But you must promise me one thing. Never ask my name or my identity.

I am here under the guidance of the Holy Grail. I am Lohengrin, son of Percival.

Dear people of Brabant, God bless you. Germany is in danger and must prepare for the enemies of the East. I have come here to recruit troops. But I have heard that Brabant has not chosen a lord and is in dispute. That is why I have summoned you here. Tell me the cause of this discord.

Gott grüss’ euch, liebe Männer von Brabant!

Thank you, O King. You have come to judge. The Lord of Brabant has died and left me his children. His children are called Elsa and Gottfried. One day they went into the forest, but only Elsa returned. The boy was not found. I want to charge Elsa with the murder of her brother. And I want you to make me a lord.

Dank, König, dir, dass du zu richten kamst!

Do you have something to say?

I prayed to God in my solitude. My lamentations echoed far away. I fell into a sweet sleep. A shining knight comforted me. The knight I saw in my dream would fight for me.

Einsam in trüben Tagen(Elsa’s Narrative)

God will settle it. I ask the count. Do you swear that you will settle it by God’s judgment?

Yes.

I ask Elsa. Do you want a proxy warrior to fight for you?

Yes.

I will fight for Elsa. But you must promise me one thing. Never ask my name or my identity.

I see.

Count. By God’s judgment, your life is mine. I will spare only your life.

I was wrong to believe you! You told me that you saw Elsa kill her brother in the swamp.

What’s the point of cursing me? If you know how to handle him, you have nothing to fear. He is weaker than a child.

Weak? I felt God’s power in him.

He forbade them to ask him his name and identity. The only person he forbade was Elsa. He must have been empowered by magic.

I thought I had lost my honor to God’s judgment, but I guess I lost my honor to magic.

My husband has brought you down because of his unfortunate delusions. I live to atone for his sins.

Wait there.

Blasphemed gods! Help me to avenge myself. Punish the dishonor done here. Wotan, I call upon you. Freia, hear me!

Entweihte Götter!

I will ask him for mercy in the morning.

My advice to you. Do not be blinded by happiness, lest disaster befall you.

What is a disaster?

The knight appears mysteriously, his name and identity unknown. How can you be sure he won’t leave suddenly?

You are pathetic. Let me share with you the joy of believing in people.

I will be bold. I accuse him of deceiving God.

Blessed she goes. She is humble and patient. O God, guide her. O God, protect her steps.

Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral

I can’t take it anymore. I don’t want to be your maid.

I was deceived by you.

My husband is known and respected by name and identity in this country. Nobody knows your husband’s name. You don’t know his name. He cannot tell you his name because he is empowered by magic.

Ortrud says I trust you too much.

Do I need to see her struggling?

I was defeated by his magic. He is a fuzzy fellow whose name and identity I don’t know. It is strange for a wild swan to pull a boat.

I will not answer questions from you or the King. The only person I have to answer to is Elsa.

Elsa! Trust me. I will visit you at night.

Our happiness depends on you. Do you have any doubts about me?

My love is without doubt.

Go, guided by sincerity, to the place where the blessings of love protect you. Take courage and win love. The two most blessed will swear allegiance to each other.

Treulich geführt ziehet dahin・Bridal Chorus

This love brings me inexpressible bliss. But alas, I cannot speak the name of my beloved.

You and I are bound together by a mysterious magic. When we first met, I had no need to know your identity. It was your purity that attracted me.

If I am of any value to you, I would like to know your secret. Is it such a dark secret that you must hide it from the whole world?

I value you more than any other woman because your commitment to me is unwavering. There is no need for you to doubt me. I am not from the world of the night, but from the world of radiant joy.

You come from a fascinating country, don’t you? Then you may leave soon. Your love for me may cool and you may be gone. Please tell me your name and who you are.

All our happiness is gone.

I thank the people of Brabant. The enemies are now approaching the kingdom, but let us meet them with courage. For the German nation, the German sword!

O King. I cannot go into battle with you. Elsa has heard my name and my identity.

There is a castle in a distant land. I have come here under the guidance of the Holy Grail. I am Lohengrin, son of Parsifal.

In fernem Land

Elsa. I have no choice but to leave.

My dear Swan, thank you for coming. It’s too bad another year has passed and you would have looked different. Elsa. I wish I could have watched over you for another year. Your brother will return one day. Farewell and take care.

Mein lieber Schwan!

Go home! Let me tell you something, foolish Elsa. I knew who the swan was that pulled the little boat. The swan is the heir of Brabant. Elsa. Thank you for sending the knight away.

He is the Duke of Brabant!