Home > Die Meistersinger von Nuernberg Wagner, R. (1813-1883) Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg The Mastersingers of Nuremberg Composed 1861-1867. First performed June 21, 1868. Libretto by the composer (in German). A Summary of “Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg” Act 1 In the mid 16th century, in Nuremberg, Germany, a young knight, Walther, meets Eva at the St. Katherine's Church, and they fall in love with each other. However, Eva’s father, Pogner, the master of goldwork, has decided to give all his estate and his daughter to the winner of a song contest on the St. John's Day. Of course, Walther takes the preliminary song trial. But, he fails it. One of the judges, Sachs, the master of boot making, sees the potential of Walther’s passionate singing. Act 2 Eva knows that Walther failed, so she consults Sachs. He doesn’t give her any advice. Actually, Sachs is interested in her for himself. It has been a long time since he lost his wife. But, he understands Eva’s feeling that she wants to marry the young knight, Walther. He also understands that he is too old to marry her. Sachs decides to give her up and help the young couple. Act 3 On the following morning, Sachs invites Walther to his house, and recommends him to create a song based on his dream. Walther completes his own original song. After Walther leaves, Beckmesser enters Sachs’s house. Beckmesser also loves Eva, that is, he is Walther’s rival. Beckmesser finds the song Walther has written. Beckmesser thinks that Sachs created this song. Sachs tells him to get this paper. Beckmesser is pleased to receive it. The song contest is held in the field of Pegnitz. First, Beckmesser sings the song received from Sachs. But, he can’t sing the song well. Sachs says to audience, “The song sung by Beckmesser is not his own work. I want to introduce the true writer of this song.” Walther appears on the stage, and he sings the song ‘The Roseate glow of dawn.’ Walther’s song makes an impression on all of the judges and audience. Walther wins first prize, and marries Eva. A Comment on “Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg” This opera is Richard Wagner’s only big hit comedy, he wrote some in his early days. The music is totally characteristic of bright and brilliant as compared to his “Tristan und Isolde” that is dark and sonbre. This opera is long, more than four and a half hours. “Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg” is a magnificent drama almost like a celebration, but all characters in this opera are ordinary folk, for example, shoemaker, public servant, and so on. In medieval Germany, craftsmen organized craft guilds in a lot of fields, for example, bakery, textile, barber, and so on. Craftsmen can get the status of the master after they pass their examination. “Meistersinger” is one of the guilds, and craftsmen compete for creating songs. The craftsmen who pass the exam, can get the status of the master of song writer, “Meistersinger.” The leading character of this opera, Sachs, was an actual person. He was a great “Meistersinger.” He wrote more than 6,000 songs. He also lost his wife when he was in his fifties, but he got married again, unlike in the opera where he didn’t. Eduard Hanslick who in reality severely criticized Wagner, is portrayed as an unfortunate character of this opera, Beckmesser. Wagner described Beckmesser as “Old Guard.” In this opera, Beckmesser is beaten badly by Walther who has a new ideology, that is, Wagner’s art. So, the aria that Walther sings is great. Gluck, C. W. (1714-1787) 　- Orpheus and Eurydice Mozart, W. A. (1756-1791) 　- The Marriage of Figaro 　- Don Giovanni 　- Cosi fan tutte 　- The Magic Flute Beethoven, L. v. (1770-1827) 　- Fidelio Weber, C. M. v. (1786-1826) 　- The Magic Bullets Rossini, G. (1792-1868) 　- The Barber of Seville Donizetti, G. (1797-1848) 　- The Elixir of Love Verdi, G. (1813-1901) 　- Macbeth 　- Rigoletto 　- Il trovatore 　- La Traviata 　- Un ballo in maschera 　- Don Carlo 　- Aida 　- Otello 　- Falstaff Wagner, R. (1813-1883) 　- The Flying Dutchman 　- Tannhauser 　- Lohengrin 　- Tristan und Isolde 　- Die Meistersinger von Nuernberg 　- The Rhinegold 　- Die Walkure 　- Siegfried 　- Twilight of the Gods 　- Parsifal Offenbach, J. (1819-1880) 　- The Tales of Hoffmann Strauss, J. (1825-1899) 　- Die Fledermaus (The Bat) Bizet, G. (1838-1875) 　- Carmen Tchaikovsky, P. J. (1840-1893) 　- Eugene Onegin Massenet, J. (1842-1912) 　- Werther Humperdinck, E. (1854-1921) 　- Hansel and Gretel Puccini, G. (1858-1924) 　- La Boheme 　- Tosca 　- Madama Butterfly 　- Turandot Leoncavallo, R. (1858-1919) 　- Pagliacci Mascagni, P. (1863-1945) 　- Cavalleria Rusticana Debussy, C. (1862-1918) 　- Pelleas et Melisande Strauss, R. (1864-1949) 　- Salome 　- The Cavalier of the Rose Copyright (C) 2005-2011 Yusuke Kamiki. All Rights Reserved.