May 31 and June 2, 2018

National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing

For a Wagner lover, and a long-time student and frequent resident of China, it is an unusual and splendid treat to hear and see Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg in Beijing. This version is a co-production by the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Opera Australia, and The National Centre for Performing Arts, Beijing, directed by Kasper Holten, with set design by Mia Stensgaard, costume design by Anja Vang Kragh, lighting design by Jesper Kongshaug, and choreography by Signe Fabricius. For this Bejing version, the conductor, direct orchestra and chorus were entirely different to when the production premiered in London in March 2017. I have quite a few criticisms, especially of the production, and shall return to some of them. However, overall I was impressed by this Die Meistersinger. I saw it twice and came away both times feeling exhilarated overall, but offended by the liberties Holten took with the story.

The Production and Conception

The whole concept of the work has been adjusted for this production. The story is set in the 20th or 21st century, not the 16th. The focus is not the mastersingers...