If you have ever attended a wedding or watched one on television, you are likely to have heard the Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin. This piece of music is one of the most popular wedding marches in the world and has been used in countless ceremonies since it was composed in 1850 by the German composer, Richard Wagner.
The History of the Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin
The Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin was originally written as part of Wagner's three-act opera, Lohengrin. The opera tells the story of a knight who arrives in a boat drawn by swans to rescue a maiden in distress. The Bridal Chorus is played during the wedding scene in Act III.
When the opera was first performed in Weimar, Germany, in 1850, the Bridal Chorus was not an immediate hit. It wasn't until a few years later when it was used in a wedding in London that its popularity began to grow.
The Lyrics of the Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin
The Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin is usually played without lyrics, but the original German text is as follows:
Treulich gef??hrt ziehet dahin,
wo euch der Segen der Liebe bewahr'!
Siegreicher Mut, Minnegewinn
eint euch in Treue zum seligsten Paar.
Streiter der Tugend, schreite voran!
O, wie so hehr, in pr??chtiger Pracht
schreitet zum Hymen das Brautpaar!
The English translation of the lyrics is:
Faithfully guided, draw near
To where the blessing of love shall preserve you!
Triumphantly tread to the hymeneal altar,
There to enjoy the triumph of love!
Prowess and virtue, love's dowry,
Join you, the loveliest of couples in love,
As in happy union you tread
The path of life before you.
The Meaning of the Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin
The Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin is a celebration of love and the union between two people. The lyrics speak of the couple being guided faithfully to the altar, where they will receive the blessing of love and join together in happiness and union.
The piece is a romantic and joyful tribute to the beauty of marriage and the happiness that comes from finding true love.
Using the Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin in Your Wedding
If you are planning a wedding and considering using the Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin, it is important to first check with your officiant or venue to make sure that it is allowed. Some religious institutions may not permit the use of secular music during wedding ceremonies.
Assuming that it is allowed, the Bridal Chorus can be played at any point during the ceremony when the bride is entering. It is typically used as the processional music, but it can also be used when the bride is walking down the aisle or during the recessional.
