The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-08

To take It so-allegorical, like the rest.
This opera is not related to any other. as
are the member of the Ring" and it's
story is complete. The libretto was written
by Wagner, as in the case of his other
works, ard is. of course, in German. The
story is told i'm three acts. Henry l, sur
named "The Fowler King of Germany,
went to Antwerp with the intention of levy
ing a force to assist in repelling the Hun
garians, who threatened TO invade his do
main. H found Brabant in a tumult.
Godfrey, abe young son of the late duke,
had disappeared, and his sister. Elsa. was
accused of numbering him 10y her guar
dian, Frederick, count of Telramund, who
had married Ortrud, daughter of Radbod,
prince of Friesland. Frederick, in the
right of Ris wife. claimed to be the ruler
of the dJ.chy.
Elsa arpeared before the King, in the
presence Of his retainers and her own peo-
pie. all assembled ON a shaded plain ON the
bank of the river Scheldt, near Antwerp,
and asserted her innocence. 1t was agreed
that the cause should be decided by a
combat between Frederick and any cham
piOn that: should appear Oh behalf of the
accused woman. She seemed helpless, I'M
til, without warning, "A mig approached,
drawn Up the Scheldt i'm a boat by a
swan. At landing he dismissed the swan
and undertook Elsa's defense. she prom
Using that if he should be victorious she
would become his wife and would not
question his name or origin. I'm the com
bat that ensued the mysterious knight
struck down Frederick and so deprived
him of his title and estate, besides clear
ing Elsa Of the charge of numbering her
brother.
While preparations were being made for
the wedding of Elsa and the knight and
the court was holding fete over the tri-
umph of the stranger. who had been ap-
pointed kin protector of Brabant and
leader of the Brabant contingent of the
German army. Frederick and OrtTud Mot
ted revenge and the recovery of their honor
and power. Ortrud presented herself at the
apartment of the women and persuaded
the generous Elsa to have compassion on
her and obtain Frederick's pardon. This
gained she went further and suggested to
Elsa that she should inquire into the cir
cumstanceS OF her future husband. As the
nuptial procession approached the cathe-
dral Frederick and Ortrud became desper-
ate. the woman opposing Elsa at the door
and Frederick declaring that the bride
groom was a sOrcerer and had obtained his
victory by unfair means. The people. at
the kings command. expelled the intruders
and the marriage went onward.
In the nuptial chamber Elsa could not
restrain her curiosity. which had been
aroused b. Ortrud, and she questioned her
husband. He pleaded with her not to be
suspicious, but 10 accept him as he was.
Frederick forcibly entered and was slain
by the knight The following morning the
stranger, solicited by Elsa. explained his
Identity. He was Lohengrin, son cf King
Percival. keeper of the Holy Grail. To the
Grail Lohengrin was indebted for his magic
bower but after his name was revealed he
could remain i'm Brabant no longer. Amid
the lamentations OF Elsa and the people
DOhengrin went down TO the Scheldt and
the swan appeared with his boat. lie took
a gold chain from the swans neck, and
Immediately in its stead was the youth
Godfrey, who had been changed into the
swan by Ortrud, who was a sorceress.
Godfrey was declared TO be the rightful