The Mastersingers of Nuremberg - English National Opera Guide 19 (includes libretto)

'The longest single smile in the German language' has described The Mastersingers of Nuremberg - a double triumph for Wagner as composer of both the words and music of his only comedy

But Roland Matthews indicates that violence is not far beneath the surface of this genial portrait of mediaeval Nuremberg

Arnold Whittall's analysis gives a remarkable bird's-eye-view of the elaborate complexity of the score

Timothy McFarland explores the significance of the choice of subject: that nostalgia for a pre-industrial community, was a symptom of the nationalist movement that finally destroyed the ancient liberties of the German cities

The long text has many subtleties which opera audiences can hardly appreciate without reading it, and the musical themes are numbered to indicate where they occur

REVIEWS

'Brilliantly produced and superb value' ~ Sunday Times

'All these will provide the new opera-goer with food for thought' ~ Daily Telegraph

'Wholehearted recommendation of this valuable new series' ~ TLS