Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg. (Metropolitan Opera).(Critical Essay)

BROADCAST OF DECEMBER 8, 2001 SPONSORED BY CHEVRONTEXACO OVER THE CHEVRONTEXACO-METROPOLITAN OPERA INTERNATIONAL RADIO NETWORK, 12 NOON

THE STORY

ACT I. As the congregation of St. Katharine's Church sings a closing hymn, the young knight Walther von Stolzing tries to catch the eye of Eva Pogner. As the parishioners file out, she informs her suitor that she will be betrothed the next day to the winner of a song contest sponsored by the local guild of Mastersingers. Eva's companion, Magdalene, tells her own suitor, David, apprentice to the cobbler-poet Hans Sachs, to explain the rules of song composing to Walther ("Mein Herr"), who is taken aback by the complicated ins and outs of mastersinging. David's fellow apprentices set up for a preliminary song trial, and the Masters arrive; but before the guild's secretary, Kothner, can call the roll, Walther applies for the contest, making an enemy of fellow contestant Beckmesser, the town clerk -- a spiteful, jealous pedant, suspicious of anything new. As proof that tradesmen value art, Pogner offers his daughter's hand as prize for the contest ("Das schone Fest"). When Sachs suggests that Eva -- and the people -- should have some say in the outcome, Pogner announces she can reject the winner but must marry a Mastersinger. Now Walther introduces himself ("Am stillen Herd"), describing his self-taught, natural methods of composition. Walther's impulsive, free-form tune ("Fanget an!") breaks all the Masters' rules, punctuated by Beckmesser's chalk and slate to count the errors. Rejected by the Masters, the young knight storms out, leaving Sachs to muse on the distinctive appeal of his melody.

ACT II. That evening David tells Magdalene how badly Walther fared. Eva, arriving with her father, gets the sad news. Across the street, Sachs sets up shop in his doorway, but the scent of lilacs and the memory of Walther's song distract him ("Wie duftet doch der Flieder"). Eva visits him, and though she intimates that she would be glad if he won the contest, her dismay at his pretended disapproval of Walther betrays her true feelings. Running off in a huff, she is intercepted by Walther, who begs her to elope with him; they hide when the Night Watchman passes. Guessing their intention, Sachs lights a lantern, forcing the lovers to stay put while Beckmesser arrives to serenade Eva, whom Magdalene impersonates in Pogner's window. When the clerk is ready with his tune, however, Sachs launches into a lusty cobbling song ("Jerum! Jerum!"), pleading a need to finish his work. When Beckmesser protests, they agree at length that Sachs will drive a nail only when Beckmesser breaks a rule of style. The ensuing racket increases when David attacks the clerk for wooing Magdalene, and the night-shirted neighbors are roused to a free-for-all until the Watchman's horn disperses them. Pogner leads Eva inside while Sachs drags Walther and David into his shop; the Watchman intones the hour, sounds his horn and passes through the moonlit, suddenly peaceful street.

ACT III. Reading in his study the next morning, Sachs forgives David his unruly behavior and bids him recite his St. John's Day verses. Alone, the cobbler ponders the world's madness ("Wahn! Wahn!"), then greets Walther, who tells of a wondrous dream ("Morgenlich leuchtend"). Sachs recognizes a potential prize song; taking down the words, he helps the knight fashion them with an ear for form and symmetry. When they depart, Beckmesser limps in, noses around and, pocketing Walther's poem, is caught by Sachs, who tells him to keep it. Beckmesser, certain of victory; rushes out. Eva now visits Sachs on the pretext of a pinching shoe; Walther returns and repeats his prize song for her. She is torn between the two men ("O Sachs! Mein Freund"), but the wise cobbler turns her toward the younger man. When Magdalene comes in, Sachs promotes David to journeyman and invites Eva to bless the new song ("Selig, wie die Sonne").

The guilds and citizens assemble under festive banners; the Masters file in, Sachs getting a spontaneous hand from the people, which in ...