THE WORK Cincinnati Opera begins its 90th season on the grandest scale possible ­with Richard Wagner’s singular humane comedy, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. Far from the weighty wars between immortals seen in his other works, Die Meistersinger is a very human, and very touching, romance between two young lovers. It’s a love story, but also an encomium for living the self-actualized life of an upstanding citizen.

Due to its magnificent scope, this five-hour opera is rarely performed in the United States. Cincinnati Opera’s production is already being hailed as an international event–calls for tickets are pouring in from across the country and around the world!

THE STORY Walther, a young knight, falls in love with Eva, but she is to be betrothed to the winner of a singing contest. The plot follows his attempts to win the contest with the wise help of the cobbler and poet Hans Sachs.

THE CAST Maestro James Levine, music director for the Metropolitan Opera and Cincinnati native, will conduct the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra along with stars from the most recent Metropolitan Opera production of Die Meistersinger: the powerful bass James Morris as Hans Sachs and the lovely Korean-Americ­an soprano Hei-Kyung Hong as Eva. Cincinnati Opera regular Richard Margison, who returns to the Music Hall stage after his lauded performance as Radames in Aida (2007), will take on the tenor role of Walther. Internationally-renowned Sir Thomas Allen makes his Cincinnati Opera debut as Beckmesser.

See the full cast & creative team.

Tickets available by phone. Call (513) 241-2742 or order now online.