Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg (The Master-Singers of Nuremberg) is a music drama/opera in three acts by Richard Wagner (1813-1883). Taking nearly four and a half hours to perform in its entirety, this opera is one of the longest that is commonly performed. "Die Meistersinger" tells the story of the mid-16th century guild of Meistersinger (Master Singers), which was a collective of amateur poets and musicians. It is also one of Wagner’s only comedic operas. The prelude is here edited by Tom Kennedy. Instrumentation: 2+1, 2, 2, 2 - 4, 3, 3, 1, timp, perc, str. 9.8.7.6.5.