Program Notes for Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg
Richard Wagner (1813 - 1883) finished writing his eighth opera, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, in 1867. The Meistersingers, or Master-singers, were guilds of poets and musicians who promoted poetry and singing in various German towns during the 14th to 16th centuries. These guilds represented the middle-class continuation of minnesingers of the 12th and 14th centuries.
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg is a comedy set in sixteenth century Nuremberg. This is a story of Walther von Stolzing who falls in love with a woman named Eva. However Veit Pogner, Eva’s father, decides she will marry the winner of a singing contest held by the Guild of the Mastersingers. Walther tries to join the Mastersingers, but is rejected by the town clerk, Sixtus Beckmesser. Only a cobbler, Hans Sachs, finds merit in Walther’s singing. Later, Beckmesser finds a manuscript of a song by Walther. Beckmesser tries to sing it, but is made fun of by everyone. However, Walther sings it and wins the competition and the hand of Eva.
Wagner developed the use of the leitmotiv (a short theme associated with a person, object or idea) in his operas. The Prelude to the first act combines many of the themes/leitmotive heard throughout the opera. The first theme is that of the Mastersinger, which symbolizes the glory of the city of Nuremberg and the Guild of the Mastersingers. The second theme is soft and light, relating to Walther’s love song for Eva. The third theme is the “Guild Banner,” a march of the Mastersingers. Theme four is a developed portion of theme one. It represents more celebration of the Guild of the Mastersingers. Theme five becomes the song that wins the competition for Walther. Various themes associated with the apprentices come later. The prelude concludes with a final restatement of the majestic Mastersinger theme.
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