Lohengrin - Prelude to Act 3

There is no more thrilling introduction to any part of any opera than the orchestral Prelude to the third act of Wagner’s Lohengrin. The curtain is about to arise on the wedding of Elsa to her knightly champion Lohengrin - an event which, in spite of the reassuring presence of a now universally familiar bridal chorus, does not turn out to be quite the consummation so devoutly wished by both parties. The Prelude, however, offers no hint of impending disaster. It is inspired by the excited anticipation of a brilliant occasion as the whole orchestra flings itself without preliminaries into the jubilant main theme of the piece. A solo oboe introduces a rather more thoughtful middle section but, as the early return of the main theme confirms, this is neither the time nor the place for reflection.