Seasons

Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

In his comic masterpiece, Wagner set aside gods and goddesses to tell a touchingly human story about the power of art. When an impetuous young singer arrives in a proud German city determined to dazzle the townsfolk and win the love of a beautiful woman, his attempts to prove himself find sympathy in a wise cobbler-poet.

Music and Libretto by Richard Wagner

Sung in German with English supertitles

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Synopsis

A young arrival to a new city, in pursuit of winning a singing competition as well as a beautiful woman, finds sympathy in a wise cobbler-poet.

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Behind the Scenes

Cast & Creative

Cast

Hans Sachs	James Rutherford
Walther von Stolzing	Brandon Jovanovich
Eva	Rachel Willis-Sørensen*
Magdalene	Sasha Cooke
David	Alek Shrader
Sixtus Beckmesser	Martin Gantner ^*
Veit Pogner	Ain Anger ^*
Fritz Kothner	Philip Horst
Kunz Vogelgesang	AJ Glueckert
Balthasar Zorn	Joel Sorensen
Augustin Moser	Corey Bix
Ulrich Eisslinger	Joseph Hu*
Konrad Nachtigall	Sam Handley*
Hans Schwarz	Anthony Reed
Hermann Ortel	Edward Nelson
A night watchman	Andrea Silvestrelli
Hans Foltz	Matthew Stump
An apprentice	Laurel Porter

Performances

November 18, 21, 24, 27
December 2, 6

Creative

Conductor	Sir Mark Elder ^*
Production	Sir David McVicar
Revival Co-Director	Marie Lambert*
Revival Co-Director	Ian Rutherford*
Production Designer	Vicki Mortimer*
Lighting Designer	Paule Constable*
Associate Lighting Designer	Jeremy Turnbull*
Chorus Director	Ian Robertson
Choreography	Andrew George*
Revival Choreographer	Colm Seery ^*
Fight Director	Dave Maier

* San Francisco Opera Debut

Co-production with Lyric Opera of Chicago and Glyndebourne Festival Opera

Previous performances of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg can be found in our Archive.

Program Articles

Beyond the Revolution

Author Thomas May explores the origins and history behind Wagner's only mature comic opera.

Director's Note

Die Meistersinger director Sir David McVicar discusses why he updated Wagner's opera to the 19th century.

Conductor's Note

What makes Die Meistersinger so enduring? Sir Mark Elder, music director of the Hallé Orchestra, explains.

Made Possible By

This production is made possible, in part, by The Bernard Osher Endowment Fund and The Burgess and Elizabeth Jamieson Fund. Ms. Cooke's and Mr. Shrader’s appearances are made possible by the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Emerging Stars Fund. Mr. Rutherford’s appearance is made possible by a gift to the Great Singers Fund from Joan and David Traitel.

Photo (top): Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg/Dan Rest/Lyric Opera of Chicago