Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, a co-production of NCPA, Royal Opera House Opera Australia unveils

On May 31st, June 2nd,June 5th and June 7th, 2018, Richard Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, a co-production of the NCPA, Royal Opera House and Opera Australia, will be presented.

As the 62nd opera presented by the NCPA, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg is the fifth opera created by Wagner following Der Fliegende Holländer, Lohengrin, Tannhäuser and Tristan und Isolde. Following Andrea Chénier, this also witnesses the second co-production by the NCPA and the Royal Opera House, Convent Garden.

Premiered in 1868, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg was the second new work created and presented by Richard Wagner at the National Theatre Munich, immediately after world premiere of Tristan und Isolde in Munich in 1867. Wagner’s great innovation of operatic composition stood so impressive in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. When audiences looked forward to a great leap beyond imagination in the opera creation, the composer impressed Munich audiences with the new work: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg appeals to traditional customs in terms of creation techniques, ideology and passions.

Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg is the one and only comic opera by Richard Wagner

Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg is the only comic opera during Wagner’s lifetime. "Meistersinger” and “Guild of Meistersinger” vigorously give vent to Wagner’s pride and admiration for German culture. As a result, he composed brilliant and magnificent orchestral melodies. Up to now, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg is still a frequent classical repertoire during festivals in Germany and even the global classical music arena.

The entire story revolves around “Meistersinger” and “Guild of Meistersinger” in German history

The entire story of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg revolves around “Meistersinger” and “Guild of Meistersinger” in German history. In particular, Hans Sachs, a protagonist, was a famous singer with great prestige in history. His statue still towers in Nuremberg, a previous hub of the “Meistersinger.”

The upcoming NCPA production crystallizes the concerted efforts from the NCPA, Royal Opera House and Opera Australia. In Andrea Chénier, the Royal Opera House deeply impresses the audiences with excellent handling for details.

Kasper Holten explores tradition and inspiration
 
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, a teamwork fruit of the strong creative team headed by Danish opera director Kasper Holten, also features meticulous details, modern stage concepts and traditional visual aesthetics. The rotating stage will combine front stage and back stage of singing contest for “Meistersinger.” The styles and costumes of various characters highlight the director’s creative ideas in details. The opera is particular about all elements, whether important or trivial, such as medieval characters and all decorative symbols on costumes.

Like other operatic works by Wagner, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg challenges the singers’ physical strength and musical skills due to very lengthy durations of melodies. The Danish bass-baritone Johan Reuter, who will play Hans Sachs, once performed many times at the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House and Deutsche Oper Berlin. He often played the role of Wotan in Der Ring Des Nibelungen at Munich and Budapest. He is one of the most famous Wagner-focused singers.

Amanda Majeski, an American lyric soprano, will play Eva Pogner, a leading female role. In 2016, Majeski took the stage during Glyndebourne Festival, playing the same role