SYNOPSIS

The action takes place in Nuremberg in the mid-sixteenth century.

Act One

CD 1 1 A festive orchestral prelude leads directly into the first act, which takes place in St Catherine’s church in Nuremberg. 2–3 At the close of the church service, Walther von Stolzing, a young knight from Franconia, asks the goldsmith’s daughter Eva Pogner whether she is already betrothed. He is told that the man who wins the song contest the following day will also win her hand. But in order to enter the contest, one must be a Mastersinger. Since Walther also wants to compete for her hand, he decides to become a member in the guild immediately. However, only those who abide by the Mastersinger’s rules will be admitted to the guild. 4–5 In a whimsical scene, the apprentice David introduces the knight to the guild’s singing rules.

6 Eva’s father, the master goldsmith Veit Pogner, enters from the sacristy, deep in conversation with the town clerk Sixtus Beckmesser who, he says, is sure to win the song contest. Walther von Stolzing tells Pogner that he wishes to become a Mastersinger and compete for the hand of his daughter.

7–8 The Mastersingers then hold a meeting during which Pogner announces that he, as a friend of the arts, will give his daughter to the victor of the song contest on St John’s Day. 9 Sachs suggests allowing Eva and the people to have a say in the outcome of the contest, but this suggestion is rejected by the others.

10 Pogner suggests that the Mastersingers admit Walther to their guild. 11 But first, the knight must inform the Mastersingers about his personal situation and his training. 12-13 Master baker Fritz Kothner then explains to Walther the secrets of the “tabulature”, whose rules one must observe when writing the text and music of a song acceptable to the Mastersingers. All violations of the rules are noted on a slate by a marker. The marker today is Beckmesser, who is apprehensive about Walther’s application for membership in the guild, since he is afraid that a new young Mastersinger could become a rival in his attempt to win Eva Pogner’s hand. CD 2 1 In a passionate performance, Walther sings a song that he feels will help him gain admission into the Mastersinger’s guild, but Beckmesser notes numerous “faults” and even tries to hinder Walther from continuing his song. The Mastersingers conclude that the knight has “failed to sing properly” and has failed the test. 2 Only the master cobbler Hans Sachs expresses sympathy and understanding for Walther.

Act Two

A street with Hans Sachs’ cobbler’s workshop. 3–4 Eva’s nurse, Magdalene, tells Eva, who has failed to glean any information from her pensive father, about Walther’s failure to become a Mastersinger.

Sachs wants to get started with his work, 5 but he simply cannot forget the knight’s song. 6 Eva comes in. While speaking with the young girl, the cobbler-poet realises that Eva is deeply attracted to the young knight.

7 Since Beckmesser is coming to sing Eva a serenade, she and her nurse exchange clothing. 8–9 At long last, Eva’s suitor finally arrives. Walther tries to convince Eva to elope with him that night. 10 But, in an attempt to prevent the flight of the young couple as well as to disturb Beckmesser during his serenade, Sachs sings an earthy but allusive song. After an altercation, Sachs and Beckmesser finally agree that the clerk may sing his serenade beneath Eva’s window if Sachs is allowed to strike one stroke of the hammer on the new shoes he has just finished for Beckmesser each time the clerk transgresses the Mastersinger’s rules.

11-12 A hubbub breaks out as David thrashes Beckmesser, thinking that the clerk is serenading Magdalene, his beloved. The neighbours are startled by the noise and the blows lead to a turbulent “brawl scene” which is musically structured as a fugue. Since Walther and Eva do not succeed in escaping, Sachs gives the knight shelter in his house.

Act Three

In Sachs’s workshop. CD 3 1 The act begins with an orchestral prelude. The cobbler is reading an old book. 2 David enters and wishes Sachs many happy returns on his name day. 3 After the apprentice has left, Sachs continues to brood and ponder about the folly in the world.

4 Sachs’s mood changes as Walther enters. Walther tells the cobbler that he had a wonderful dream and, at Sachs’s request, 5 proceeds to relate it to him, while the cobbler writes it down. After Walther is through, Sachs congratulates him on his song, which also respects the rules of the Mastersingers. They then both step out of the shop.

6 Beckmesser enters the empty workshop. He discovers Walther’s song and thinks it is Sachs’s own. When the cobbler enters the workshop, Beckmesser accuses him of planning to woo Eva, producing the song as evidence. Sachs lets him have Walther’s poem, since he is confident that the clerk will not be able to sing it properly. Beckmesser rushes out of the house to memorise the text of the stolen song.

7–9 Eva now enters, claiming that she has problems with a shoe. Walther follows shortly thereafter, and sings the last strophe of his song. CD 4 1–2 Everyone’s optimism about the favourable chances for the young couple is reflected in a lyrical quintet.

Everyone now hurries to the meadow, the scene of the contest. 3 All the guilds — cobblers, tailors, bakers — come marching in ceremoniously, singing their guild songs. They are followed by the Mastersingers. Sachs is greeted with ovations. 4 The people sing his song “Wach’ auf, es nahet gen den Tag”. 5 He thanks them with great modesty.

The first contestant for Eva’s hand is Beckmesser. Although he has learned Walther’s song (the one he stole from Sachs’s table) he does not understand its meaning. 6 Undaunted, he makes his way up to the stage and grotesquely distorts the meaning and melody of the original in his performance. As everyone roars with laughter, Beckmesser tries to discredit Sachs, claiming that the cobbler wrote the poem. Sachs, however, denies having created it.

Walther von Stolzing now presents himself as a witness and poet. 7 To the enthusiastic applause of the people, and with the Mastersinger’s permission, Walther now sings his song. As Pogner is about to honour the knight by making him a Mastersinger, Walther first refuses: “Will ohne Meister selig sein”. 8 Only after Sachs has spoken is Walther convinced that it is in the interests of German art for him to accept this honour. At the close of the opera, the people once again break out in cheers for Sachs.