Die Meistersinger in HD: Bayreuth Premiere

On Friday, July 25, 2025, in Bayreuth, Germany, a bold new production of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg will premiere—one of the most anticipated events of the Wagnerian calendar. This September, we’ll bring the performance to midtown Manhattan in a stunning High-Definition re-stream at a modern screening room with immersive Dolby Atmos sound and crystal-clear 4k visuals. Experience the energy of Bayreuth’s opening night without leaving New York—no black tie, no travel, and yes, air conditioning.

Settle into plush seating and lose yourself in Wagner’s celebration of art, tradition, and individuality—reimagined by musical theatre veteran Matthias Davids and conducted by Daniele Gatti. This is not just another opera screening—it’s a front-row seat to a major cultural moment, shared with fellow enthusiasts in comfort and style.

Dolby88 Screening Room

About the production: Matthias Davids, best known as the award‑winning director of musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar, West Side Story and Sweeney Todd at German-language theatres like Düsseldorf and Vienna, and — as artistic head of the musical division at the Landestheater Linz — has now taken on Wagner’s only mature comedy for his Bayreuth debut. Davids has said that his aim is to uncover the inherent humor in Die Meistersinger, not to reduce it to buffoonery, but to let those moments illuminate the opera’s loftier emotional truths — and he’s leaned deeply into Wagner’s own stage directions to craft a production that feels “plausible” to modern audiences. With Georg Zeppenfeld as Hans Sachs, Michael Nagy as Beckmesser, Michael Spyres as Walther, and Christina Nilsson as Eva, the work will be conducted by maestro Daniele Gatti, who notably returns to Bayreuth after conducting Parsifal from 2008–11.

Enjoy this unique performance opportunity and then join us later in the week for a panel discussion on the influence and impact of the work.

Pricing: $45 for WSNY members. If the event is full, submit your name and e-mail address in the form below to be added to the waitlist and be notified by e-mail of any openings. All waitlisted persons are notified at once and remaining tickets are first-come, first-served.

Schedule (please note revised intermission durations):

The Experience: The first intermission allows for a short break between acts. The second intermission gives guests time to enjoy a quick dinner or dessert at one of the many casual restaurants nearby. Please note that food and drink are not permitted inside the auditorium, and lobby space is limited, with very few seats or tables available. We encourage you to step outside, stretch your legs, and enjoy the neighborhood during the longer break—just be sure to return in time for the next act! This is a unique opportunity to experience a legendary Bayreuth performance in real time, with built-in moments to relax and recharge between acts.

Seating is general admission; the performance will be screened with subtitles.

Digital Program Book: Available from the Bayreuther Festspiele as an e-book for 5.00 € online here.

Cast & Creative: