ant, who died a short time ago, leaving his children to the care
of Telramund. Elsa was to be Telramund's wife, but he wedded Ortrud of
Friesland and now claims the deserted Duchy of Brabant.

As Elsa declares her innocence, not knowing what has become of her
brother, who was taken from her during her sleep, the King resolves to
decide by a tourney in which the whole matter shall be left to the
judgment of God. Telramund, sure of his rights, is willing to fight
with any champion, who may defend Elsa. All the noblemen of Brabant
refuse to do so, and even the King, though struck by Elsa's innocent
appearance, does not want to oppose his valiant and trustworthy warrior.

Elsa alone is calm, she trusts in the help of the heavenly knight, who
has appeared to her in a dream, and publicly declares her intention of
offering to her defender the crown and her hand. While she prays,
there arrives a knight in silver armor; a swan draws his boat. He
lands, Elsa recognizes the knight of her dream and he at once offers to
fight for the accused maiden on two conditions, first that she shall
become his wife, and second, that she never will ask for his name and
his descent.

Elsa solemnly promises and the combat {174} begins. The strange knight
is victorious, and Telramund, whose life the stranger spares is with
his wife Ortrud outlawed.

The latter is a sorceress; she has deceived her husband, who really
believes in the murder of Godfrey, while as a matter of fact she has
abducted the child. In the second act we see her at the door of the
Ducal palace, where preparations for the wedding are already being
made. She plans vengeance. Her husband, full of remorse and feeling
that his wife has led him on to a shameful deed, curses her as the
cause of his dishonor. She derides him and rouses his pride by calling
him a coward. Then she pacifies him with the assurance, that she will
induce Elsa to break her promise and ask for the name of her husband,
being sure, that then all the power of this mysterious champion will
vanish.

When Elsa steps on the balcony to confide her happiness to the stars,
she hears her name spoken in accents so sad, that her tender heart is
moved. Ortrud bewails her lot, invoking Elsa's pity. The Princess
opens her door, urging the false woman to share her palace and her
fortune. Ortrud at once tries to sow distrust in Elsa's innocent heart.

As the morning dawns, a rich procession of men and women t