It is early morn. People begin to gather in the open place before the minster and, by the time the sun is high, the space is crowded with folk eager to view the bridal procession. They sing a fine and spirited chorus.
At the appointed hour four pages come out upon the balcony of the kemenate and cry out:
"Make way, our Lady Elsa comes!" Descending, they clear a path through the crowd to the steps of the minster. A long train of richly clad women emerges upon the balcony, slowly comes down the steps and, proceeding past the palace, winds toward the minster. At that moment a great shout, "Hail! Elsa of Brabant!" goes up, as the bride herself appears followed by her ladies-in-waiting. For the moment _Ortrud's_ presence in the train is unnoticed, but as _Elsa_ approaches the minster, _Frederick's_ wife suddenly throws herself in her path.
"Back, Elsa!" she cries. "I am not a menial, born to follow you! Although your Knight has overthrown my husband, you cannot boast of who he is--his very name, the place whence he came, are unknown. Strong must be his motives to forbid you to question him. To what foul disgrace would he be brought were he compelled to answer!"
Fortunately the _King_, the bridegroom, and the nobles approaching from the palace, _Elsa_ shrinks from _Ortrud_ to her champion's side and hides her face against his breast. At that moment _Frederick of Telramund_, taking his cue from _Ortrud_, comes out upon the minster steps and repeats his wife's accusation. Then, profiting by the confusion, he slips away in the crowd. The insidious poison, however, has already begun to take effect. For even as the _King_ taking the Knight on his right and _Elsa_ on his left conducts them up the minster steps, the trembling bride catches sight of _Ortrud_ whose hand is raised in threat and warning; and it is clinging to her champion, in love indeed but love mingled with doubt and fear, that she passes through the portal, and into the edifice.
These are crucial scenes. The procession to the minster, often known as the bridal procession, must not be confused with the "Bridal Chorus." It is familiar music, however, because at weddings it often is played softly as a musical background to the ceremony.