Scan 13
university dictionary of music and musicians, 1912
12 lines. Read by computer on 17 September 2026. Printed page 379. See the scan on archive.org.
1master to the Margrave of Anspach. B. Senftenberg, Saxony, about 1542; d. 1577, Frankfort-on-Main.
3Meinardus (Ludwig Siegfried) composed the oratorios "Simon Petrus," "Luther in Worms," "Gideon," "König Salomo," four ballads for chorus, the unperformed operas "Bahnesa" and "Doktor Sassafras"; wrote criticism for the "Hamburger Korrespondent"; played organ; pupil of the Leipsic Conservatory and of Liszt at Weimar. B. Hooksiel, Oldenburg, Sept. 17, 1827; d. July 12, 1896.
5Meisel (Carl) taught violin in Boston, Mass., nearly half a century; was an original member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra as well as of the Mendelssohn Quintet Club; settled in America at the age of 23. B. Germany, 1829; d. Boston, Mass., Dec. 27, 1908.
7Meisterfuge. Ger. Ricercata FUGUE.
9Meistersinger. Ger. "Mastersinger." The title of highest rank in the song schools or guilds which flourished in Germany from 1311, when Heinrich von Meissen is supposed to have established the first of its kind in Mainz, until comparatively recent times. The organizations were to the middle classes of Germany what those of the MINNESINGERS had been to the nobility, and were doubtless of great value as a means of extending musical culture. An account of Wagner's comic opera which follows this article gives an idea of some of the absurdities which grew up in the latter days of the Meistersingers, defeating their original purposes by pedantic restrictions.
11Meistersinger von Nürnberg. Richard Wagner's three-act opera to his own book was first performed June 21, 1868, at Munich, von Bülow conducting, and has since been repeatedly performed in all parts of the civilized world. The first act discloses the interior of St. Katherine's church as a service is being concluded. Walther von Stolzing, a young Franconian knight, flirts with Eva, daughter of the rich goldsmith, Veit Pogner, but learns from Magdalene, the Pogners' maid, that the young girl's hand and the goldsmith's wealth are to be the prizes for the song tourney next day. As the last of the congregation depart, David and other apprentices prepare for the session of the Meistersingers, and from David Walther learns something of the regulations of the guild. There are the tones and modes to be learned, the 33 canons to be observed, and when one has acquired the art of singing and composing according to the Tablatur or rules, having been through the degrees of scholar and singer, one must then learn poesy, and on mastering the art of combining poetry with song, progress from poet to Mastersinger. Walther determines to submit to the ordeal. The blackboard is placed in position behind a screen, and in readiness for the Marker, who is to note down any deviations from rule of which the candidate may be guilty, seven such marks sufficing to reject his application. Presently the Mastersingers assemble. Pogner and Beckmesser enter, the latter town clerk, and deeply in love with Eva. Pogner formally announces his intention to bestow Eva upon the victor in next day's contest, provided she does not refuse, and Walther announces himself as candidate for the Mastership. Hans Sachs, cobbler and poet, suggests that the public be allowed to assist in the decision, lest the rules of art become too arbitrary, and annoys Beckmesser, by urging that only young bachelors be permitted to compete, in view of the nature of the prize.Replying to the questions of the Mastersingers, Walther says he has learned poetry from the books of Walther von der Vogelweide, and music of the birds. Only Sachs seems satisfied with the thoroughness of such training. Beckmesser takes his post as Marker, Kothner proclaims the rules to be observed, and Walther is ordered to sing. The scratching of Beckmesser's pencil is heard as Walther utters praise of love and spring. Soon the blackboard is covered with
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