Lyla Dejesus
The Wedding March is a wedding tradition that is deeply rooted in history. The song, composed by German composer Felix Mendelssohn, was first played at a wedding in 1847, but it gained popularity when it was played at the wedding of Queen Victoria's daughter, Princess Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise, in 1858. The Wedding March is often accompanied by another song, Here Comes the Bride or Bridal Chorus, written by Richard Wagner for his 1850 opera, Lohengrin. While the Wedding March and Here Comes the Bride are two separate songs, they are often played together during the wedding ceremony, with the former serving as the recessional song.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the song played before the wedding march | "Here Comes the Bride" or "Bridal Chorus" |
| Composer | Richard Wagner |
| Opera | Lohengrin |
| Year of the opera's release | 1850 |
| First played at a wedding | 1858 |
| First played at the wedding of | Princess Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise, Queen Victoria's oldest child, and her groom, Frederick William IV of Prussia |
| Played when | When the bride walks down the aisle |
Explore related products
$18.29 $19.95
What You'll Learn
'Here Comes the Bride' is the most popular wedding march
"Here Comes the Bride", also known as the "Bridal Chorus", is arguably the most popular song to play before the wedding march. The song was composed by Richard Wagner for his 1850 opera "Lohengrin". In the opera, the song is sung by the women in the wedding party as they guide the bride, Elsa, to her bridal chamber on her wedding night.
The "Bridal Chorus" was chosen by Princess Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise, the oldest child of Queen Victoria, to accompany her walk down the aisle. She also chose the "Wedding March", composed by Felix Mendelssohn, to play as she and her new husband recessed from the altar. Princess Victoria's decision to play these songs at her wedding was a massive shift in wedding traditions for generations to come.
The "Bridal Chorus" is usually played without singing at modern weddings. However, it is worth noting that the song has a less cheerful role in the opera than it does in wedding ceremonies. In the opera, the song is played after the doomed marriage of Elsa and Lohengrin as Elsa walks to the bridal suite. The opera also ends in tragedy rather than a happily ever after.
Despite its popularity, the "Bridal Chorus" is seldom played at Jewish weddings due to Wagner's reputation for anti-semitism. The piece is also disliked by some Lutheran pastors and is not approved by the Roman Catholic Church as it is considered secular music and therefore inappropriate as a processional hymn.
Today, couples still use traditional wedding tunes such as the "Bridal Chorus" and the "Wedding March". However, it is not mandatory, and couples may opt for more contemporary or personal choices for their wedding ceremony entrance.
First Dance Songs: Short and Sweet for the Big Day
You may want to see also
Explore related products
'Bridal Chorus' is the official name of 'Here Comes the Bride'
The "Bridal Chorus", more commonly known as "Here Comes the Bride", is a popular wedding march played for the bride's entrance at weddings in the Western world. The song is from the 1850 opera "Lohengrin" by German composer Richard Wagner, who also wrote the libretto. The opera was first staged in the German city of Weimar under the direction of Hungarian musician and composer Franz Liszt.
The "Bridal Chorus" is sung in the opera as the bride and groom enter the bridal chamber, and the wedding party prepares them for their first night together. In the opera, the song is performed by the women of the wedding party as they escort the newlywed couple. The song's original German lyrics are: "Treulich geführt".
The "Bridal Chorus" was made popular when it was used as the processional at the wedding of Victoria, the Princess Royal and daughter of Queen Victoria, to Prince Frederick William of Prussia in 1858. The trendsetting nature of British nobility made the "Bridal Chorus" a top-rated choice for weddings.
However, the song has also been the subject of some controversy. Wagner's darker ideologies, including his anti-Semitic views, have led some couples, particularly Jewish couples, to eschew the song. Additionally, some Christian churches disagree with its use at wedding ceremonies due to its secular nature and association with sentimentality rather than worship. Despite this, the "Bridal Chorus" remains a popular choice for brides and is often the first choice for wedding music.
Iris and Barry's Wedding: Chaos and Confusion
You may want to see also
Explore related products
'Here Comes the Bride' was composed by Richard Wagner
"Here Comes the Bride", more formally known as the Bridal Chorus, is a song composed by Richard Wagner for his 1850 opera "Lohengrin". The German title of the piece is "Treulich geführt". In the opera, the "Bridal Chorus" is sung as the bride and groom enter the bridal chamber, and the wedding party prepares them for their first night together. The opera tells the story of two star-crossed lovers, Elsa and Lohengrin, whose reverie is interrupted by attackers.
The "Bridal Chorus" is the most popular wedding march there is, often played as the bride makes her entrance at weddings throughout the Western world. It was made popular for weddings when it was used as the processional at the wedding of Victoria, the Princess Royal and Queen Victoria's daughter, to Prince Frederick William of Prussia in 1858. Mendelssohn's "Wedding March", composed in 1842, was also played at this wedding, marking the exit of the couple. In modern times, these two pieces are often used the other way around, with Mendelssohn's piece accompanying the entrance of the bride.
Despite its popularity, the "Bridal Chorus" is not without controversy. Wagner was known for his anti-Semitic views and his operas have been criticised for depicting pagan stories and themes. As a result, the piece is seldom played at Jewish weddings and is also disliked by some Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches. The music was not originally intended for a wedding either—it was, in fact, the accompaniment to a rape scene in the opera.
Nevertheless, "Here Comes the Bride" or the "Bridal Chorus" has endured as a wedding staple, with many brides still choosing it as their processional music today.
Wedding Bells: Song Meaning and Interpretation
You may want to see also
Explore related products
'Wedding March' was composed by Felix Mendelssohn
The "Wedding March", often called "Here Comes the Bride", was composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1842. It was originally written to accompany Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream". It was first played at a wedding in 1847, but it did not become popular at weddings until 1858 when it was selected by Victoria, the Princess Royal, for her marriage to Prince Frederick William of Prussia. Victoria was the daughter of Queen Victoria, who loved Mendelssohn's music and for whom he often played during his visits to Britain.
Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" is distinct from the "Bridal Chorus", which is also known as "Here Comes the Bride". The "Bridal Chorus" was written by German composer Richard Wagner for his 1850 opera "Lohengrin". In the opera, the "Bridal Chorus" is sung as the bride and groom enter the bridal chamber, and the wedding party prepares them for their first night together. The story of the two lovers ends in tragedy. Because of this, the "Bridal Chorus" is seldom played at Jewish weddings, as Wagner was known for his anti-semitism and was favoured by the Nazis. The piece is also disliked by some Lutheran pastors due to its pagan themes, and it is not approved by the Roman Catholic Church as it is secular music.
Despite the "Bridal Chorus" being the most popular wedding march, Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" has endured as a popular choice for brides. It has been transcribed for various instruments, including a virtuoso transcription for piano by Vladimir Horowitz, who played it as an encore at his concerts. Today, the "Wedding March" is a beloved piece of music that continues to be enjoyed at weddings and other celebratory events.
Harry's Wedding: The Multi-Million Dollar Affair
You may want to see also
Explore related products
'Wedding March' was first played at a wedding in 1847
The "Wedding March", composed by Felix Mendelssohn, was first played at a wedding in 1847. It was originally written in 1842 to accompany Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream". The first known instance of the "Wedding March" being used at a wedding was when Dorothy Carew wed Tom Daniel at St Peter's Church, Tiverton, England, on 2 June 1847. It was performed by organist Samuel Reay.
Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" is one of the most well-known pieces from his suite of incidental music (Op. 61) to Shakespeare's play. It is one of the most frequently used wedding marches, often being played as a recessional on a church pipe organ in many Western countries. The piece is commonly paired with the ""Bridal Chorus" from Richard Wagner's opera "Lohengrin", or with Jeremiah Clarke's "Prince of Denmark's March".
The "Bridal Chorus", also known as "Here Comes the Bride", is the most popular wedding march. It was written by Wagner for the opening scene of Act 3 of his opera "Lohengrin", where it is played as the bride and groom enter the bridal chamber. The opera was composed in 1850, and the "Bridal Chorus" is usually played without singing at modern weddings.
It was Victoria, the Princess Royal and Queen Victoria's oldest daughter, who made the "Wedding March" popular by having it played at her wedding in 1858.
Public Invited to Harry's Wedding
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Wedding March is a song composed by German composer Felix Mendelssohn, originally written for Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Also known as Bridal Chorus, Here Comes the Bride was written by Richard Wagner for his 1850 opera Lohengrin.
The Wedding March was first played at a wedding in 1847, but it was Princess Victoria, Queen Victoria's daughter, who made it popular by having it played at her wedding in 1858.
In the opera Lohengrin, Bridal Chorus is played as Elsa walks to the bridal suite after her marriage to Lohengrin.
No, it is not mandatory. Many couples now choose to play something more personal or contemporary.
