Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Corder)/Argument
ARGUMENT
The scene is laid in Nuremberg in the middle of the sixteenth century. Walter von Stolzing, a young Franconian knight, is deeply in love with Eva, daughter of Veit Pogner, a goldsmith, and senior member of the Master Singer's Guild.
His affection is reciprocated by Eva. At the rise of the curtain service is just closing in St. Catherine's church. Eva attended by her nurse Magdalena, is about to leave the sacred edifice when Walter approaches and endeavors to have a few words with the object of his devotion. Eva deftly finds opportunity by sending Magdalena to fetch a handkerchief left in her pew, and when Magdalena returns, sends her back to the pew again for a scarf pin. Walter presses his suit but hears the bad news from Eva that her father has announced that her hand shall be given in marriage only to a suitor who has proved himself a Master Singer and been accepted as a member of venerable guild. Walter eagerly announces his intention of presenting himself forthwith for a trial, and he hears from David that the Mastersingers are on the point of assembling for their periodical audition.
David endeavors to alarm Walter by a length description of the severe study necessary to conform to the standards of the guild, but Walter determines to present himself without delay. The apprentices busy themselves carrying in the furniture required for the trial, including a small platform with seat for singer, and a screened seat close by for the marker, whose duty it is to chalk on a slate the good and bad points made by the candidate. On the present occasion the post of marker is held by Sixtus Beckmesser, Town Clerk, also a suitor for the hand of Eva. Kothner reads out the Laws of the Society, explaining carefully the many rules never to be violated.
When all is prepared Walter is invited to mount the platform, and sits upon the Singer's Stool. Kothner then loudly announces "The Singer sits," and Beckmesser from within his curtained space petulantly cries "Now begin."
Walter then sings the lovely Trial Songs. Meanwhile evidences of dissatisfaction, and many scratchings of the chalk on the slate of Beckmesser, are heard. Walter bravely continues his singing until rudely interrupted by the jealous Beckmesser, who emerges from his curtains to display the slate completely covered with bad marks. Walter appears to his critics for justice, and succeeds in securing the sympathy of Hans Sachs, but the majority of the Masters agree that, according to the rules of their society, the education of Walter has been sadly neglected. No such novice could be permitted to enter their sacred circle. The scene closes in confusion as the Masters retire, still disputing on the merits of the case, and the apprentices, glad of the relief from the stern atmosphere, laugh and dance around David as they assist in the removal of the benches. Hans Sachs remains alone, lost in thought, before the empty Singer's seat.
ACT II.
Exterior of Pogner's house; nearby is the house and shop of Hans Sachs. Evening, and during the scene night gradually closes in.
Walter, finding himself rejected by the Guild, suggests to Eva that they elope. Whilst Walter is explaining the unjust treatment he received at the hands of the examiners, an approaching Nightwatchman compels Eva to retire into her father's house. Hans Sachs, from his shop, having overheard the suggested elopement, determines that matters must be arranged otherwise. Soon Eva emerges from her home, disguised in the dress of Magdalena, fully prepared to elope with Walter. Hans Sachs, who is closely watching the lovers, suddenly places his lamp behind a waterglobe, and so causes a brilliant stream of light to fall upon the lovers, who are compelled to hide themselves. Meanwhile Beckmesser with his lute appears upon the scene, eager to serenade Eva. The lovers conceal themselves behind some bushes. As Beckmesser commences to tune his lute Hans Sachs sings a nonsensical ballad, hammering meanwhile loudly on his last. Vainly Beckmesser entreats silence, the song and hammering grows even louder; finally the neighbors and apprentices are attracted to the scene, astonished at the unusual nocturnal sounds. Magdalena then appears at an upper window, and David, imagining that the serenade of Beckmesser is intended for his adored Magdalena, falls upon the luckless serenader. The neighbors take sides with the combatants, and soon the entire scene is in commotion. When the combat is at its height, Walter seizes Eva in his arms, and drawing his sword, declares his intention of cutting his way through the struggling crowd. Hans Sachs at this point thinks it time to interpose, and rushing out of his shop he grasps the arms of Walter. Pogner appears at the door of his house, and Sachs gives the half-fainting Eva into her father's care. Sachs then devotes all his attention to forcing Walter within his shop. Beckmesser makes his escape through the jeering crowd. The Nightwatchman's horn is heard again, and the rioters seek safety in flight. The full moon shines down on the deserted street, as the Nightwatchman enters, and in a tremulous voice announces that "Eleven o'clock strikes from every steeple" and invokes "Heaven's protection on all good people."
ACT III. Scene I.
Sunday morning. The Workshop of Hans Sachs. After a short interview with David, who fears his master's displeasure for his part in the riot of the previous night, Hans Sachs sinks low in his chair, deep in thought, and sings the Monologue "Wahn! Wahn!" (Mad! Mad!). He dilates on the follies of youth and the experience of age. Walter enters and is affectionately received: Sachs is anxious that the happiness of the lovers shall be assured. Walter describes to Sachs a wonderful dream he has had, and Sachs then suggests to him that he prepare a Master song, with Spring, the time of lovers, as his subject. Walter immediately agrees and commences to sing the song that eventually gains for him his coveted treasure. As Walter sings, Sachs gently corrects and suggests improvements until perfection is reached, meanwhile writing down the song on a scroll, which he leaves to dry upon the table. After singer and tutor have retired to another room, Beckmesser peeps into the shop, then limps in, still suffering from the beating he recently received. He sinks into the chair and as his eyes wander over the table, he sees the copy of the song left by Sachs. Seizing the scroll he hastily conceals it in his clothing. Sachs returns and notices the theft. Beckmesser confesses the purloining, but tries to brazen the matter out by accusing Sachs of desiring to sing a love song. Finally Sachs offers Beckmesser the copy, which he gratefully seizes, hurrying from the room, determined to announce the song as a composition of his own. Eva, robed in dazzling white, arrives to have her shoe attended to by Sachs, and Walter in knightly apparel enters, followed by David and Magdalena. Sachs announces the birth of the song, composed by Walter, and the quintet is sung as the scene closes.
Scene II.
The last scene shows an open meadow, with distant view of Nuremberg. Preparations are in progress for the great singing festival, at which all unmarried masters may compete with the hand of Eva as the prize. The various Trades Guilds enter bearing emblems of their trades. After the Masters with much ceremony have taken their seats on the raised stand, Beckmesser presents himself as the first of the competitors, and is led by the apprentices to the grassy mound from which the aspirants are to deliver their songs. With the song of Hans Sachs concealed in his doublet, Beckmesser strikes a few chords on his lute, and commences awkwardly, endeavoring to fit the text to the melody of his own serenade. He becomes hopelessly confused, and the populace audibly titters, which increases his misery; as he continues, the half-suppressed merriment of the audience becomes amazed laughter. Trembling with rage Beckmesser springs down from the mound telling the Masters that the sorry trash he has been endeavoring to sing was composed by Hans Sachs, with the sole object of accomplishing his ruin; he then rushes furiously away amidst great commotion. The Masters enquire of Sachs the truth of the assertion. Sachs explains that the fault lies not in the song, but in the singer, and to prove his point announces Walter as the true author of the song, and entreats permission of the Masters for Walter to sing his composition. Having obtained their consent Sachs hands the scroll to the Masters in order that they may follow each line as sung. Walter takes his place on the mound and commences to sing the immortal Prize Song. Silence falls on all, wonder evident on every face. At the close of the song the Masters rise and hail Walter as victor, glorious singer, winner of the prize. Eva crowns Walter with a wreath of leaves and Pogner extends his hands in benediction over the happy lovers.
Lionel S. Mapleson.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
HANS SACHS, Cobbler
VEIT POGNER, Goldsmith
KUNZ VOGELGESANG, Furrier
KONRAD NACHTIGAL, Buckle-maker
SIXTUS BECKMESSER, Town Clerk
FRITZ KOTHNER, Baker
BALTHASER ZORN, Pewterer
ULRICH EISLLINGER, Grocer
AUGUSTUS MOSER, Tailor
HERMAN ORTEL, Soap Boiler
HANS SCHWARTZ, Stocking Weaver
HANS FOLTZ, Coppersmith
WALTER VON STOLSING, A Young Franconian Knight.
DAVID, Apprentice to Hans Sachs.
EVA, Pogner's Daughter.
MAGDALENA, Eva's Nurse.
A NIGHT WATCHMAN.
Burghers of all Guilds, Journeymen, Apprentices,
Girls and People.