This glorious masterwork stands with The Ring as the ultimate test for singers, chorus, and orchestra. At its heart is a song contest that will transform the society in which it takes place. Nürnberg’s ancient guild of mastersingers is looking for a work of art—a shining beacon of poetry and music. Only those who can pass the guild’s onerous test may enter. But the winner gets the ultimate prize—marriage to the peerless Eva. Walther von Stolzing, the brilliant innovator, competes for art and for love; Beckmesser, the narrow-minded pedant, does everything to defeat him; Sachs, wisest of all the mastersingers, mentors the young genius, sometimes at the cost of his own happiness; and the people wait breathlessly to crown the victor. In Wagner’s only foray into comedy, great art triumphs over all in one of the most joyous and overwhelming achievements in the history of music.
THE CAST
Hans Sachs: Michael Volle
Walther von Stolzing: Johan Botha
Eva: Annette Dasch
Beckmesser: Johannes Martin Kränzle
David: Paul Appleby
Magdalene: Karen Cargill
Pogner: Hans-Peter König
Night Watchman: Matthew Rose
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