Richard Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

Presents an informative and stimulating study of an opera that occupies a particular place in music lovers' affections.

John Warrack (Author)

9780521444446, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 8 September 1994

188 pages, 8 b/w illus. 29 music examples
22.3 x 14.4 x 1.7 cm, 0.39 kg

"This introductory study fully realizes the aims of a Cambridge Opera Handbook by presenting abundant, synoptic, analytical, and historical information about Die Meistersinger along with distinctive critical interpretations." Opera Quarterly

Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg is Wagner's only mature comedy, and one of the richest and most profound in the history of music. This book presents an informative and stimulating study of an opera that occupies a particular place in music lovers' affections, yet always has more to reveal. John Warrack traces the evolution of the work from plans for a light comic opera, through all the drafts and the literary influences on them, into the eventual comedy; and he then studies the music in depth. He also gives an account of what Wagner found in the historical Mastersingers and their music. Lucy Beckett explores the influence of Schopenhauer on the work, and examines the complexity of its expressive methods. Michael Tanner suggests new ways of interpreting the opera's inner and outer worlds. There is a history of significant productions by Patrick Carnegy. The volume includes a full synopsis, bibliography and three appendices.

List of illustrations
General preface
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Composition and performance details
1. The sources and genesis of the text John Warrack
2. Synopsis John Warrack
3. Sachs, Beckmesser, and Mastersong John Warrack
4: Sachs and Schopenhauer Lucy Beckett
5. Richard Wagner and Hans Sachs Michael Tanner
6. Die Meistersinger: naive or sentimental art? Lucy Beckett
7. Wahn, words and music John Warrack
8. Stage history Patrick Carnegy
Appendices: 1. The Wahn monologue
2. Sachs's final address
3. The original Prize Song
Notes
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Opera [AVGC9]