Wagner's 'great celebration of song' set in 16th century Germany and first performed in Munich in 1868.

The story is based on the real guild of Meistersingers ('Master Singers'), one of their most famous singers, Hans Sachs, and two of his charges, Eva and Walther.

Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg is the only comedy among Wagner's so-called 'mature' operas.