Prelude to ‘Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg’
Richard Wagner (1813-1883)

Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (The Mastersingers of Nuremberg) is the nearest Wagner came in maturity to writing a comic opera. It is a work of human nature, affectionately portraying a song contest in 16^th century Nürnberg run by the ancient craft guild of Meistersingers who have an idealised belief in the sanctity of music.

The Overture, or Prelude as Wagner liked to call it, was unusually written prior to the opera. According to Wagner, the idea came to him on a train journey from Venice to Vienna in November 1861.

It starts with the regal march of the Meistersingers for full orchestra. After a brief gentler passage given by the woodwind of the theme of awakening love between hero and heroine, a second march is played by the brass based on the motive of the King David Fanfare. We are then treated to a lyrical episode played by the strings and woodwind using the love motive from Walther’s Prize Song. The opening Meistersingers march theme returns, but in a quirky variation representing the apprentices which are appropriately led by the tuba – a recently invented instrument which Wagner was influential in adding to the orchestra. The Prelude reaches a climax with all the motives woven in a polyphonic texture concluding with the King David Fanfare now in full, dignified splendour.

The opera was premiered in Munich on 21^st June 1868 with the Prelude soon becoming a popular concert item in its own right.

Programme notes by Jonathan Hodgetts

www.SalisburySymphonyOrchestra.org.uk