Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg is presented here as a live Bayreuth Festival performance captured for the screen, a production that blends Wagner's fondness for chorus with a celebration of craft and tradition. The screen direction is by Andreas Morell, while the on stage staging at Bayreuth was overseen by Katharina Wagner, preserving the festival's lineage. Franz Hawlata sings Hans Sachs with gravitas and warmth; Artur Korn is Veit Pogner, Klaus Florian Vogt is Walther von Stolzing, Michael Volle voices Sixtus Beckmesser, and Norbert Ernst appears as David. The plot follows Walther's bid for Eva's hand through a written song and guild's scrutiny, guided by Sachs and a chorus. The result is a musical evening powered by character and communal song.

Directed for the screen by Andreas Morell this 2008 release documents a Bayreuth Festival staging based on Richard Wagner's opera. The on stage direction credited to Katharina Wagner preserves the festival's traditional approach while the film foregrounds vocal prowess.

Reception highlights the work as a vivid meditation on art and tradition, with emphasis on craft, mentorship, and communal singing. Hawlata's Sachs projects authority with warmth, Vogt brings lyricism to Walther, and the ensemble delivers buoyant energy that underscores Wagner's blend of humor and heart.

Box office data for this live capture are not widely reported, reflecting its status as a niche operatic release rather than a mainstream hit. It primarily appeals to Wagner enthusiasts and Bayreuth festival audiences.