Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg is Wagner's only mature comedy, and one of the richest and most profound in the history of music. This book presents an informative and stimulating study of an opera that occupies a particular place in music lovers' affections, yet always has more to reveal. The volume includes a full synopsis, bibliography and three appendices.

This book presents an informative and stimulating study of an opera that occupies a particular place in music-lovers' affections, yet always has more to reveal. John Warrack traces the evolution of the work from plans for a light comic opera, through all the drafts and the literary influences on them, into the eventual comedy; he then studies the music in depth.