Nuremberg, mid-16th century: The goldsmith Veit Pogner has offered the hand of his daughter Eva as the first prize at a singing competition traditionally held on the Feast of St. John. This pleases the town clerk Sixtus Beckmesser, who has had his eye on the girl for some time. But the young knight Walther von Stolzing has also fallen in love with Eva, but he is not admitted to the competition, which is only open to master craftsmen. Under the watchful eye of the shoemaker Hans Sachs, his apprentice David tries to familiarize Stolzing with the rules of the competition so that he can pass the master's examination. The plan goes thoroughly wrong, and the ensuing second act ends with a proper brawl. Through the intervention of the cobbler, Beckmesser can finally be eliminated, so that Stolzing is admitted to the competition and can soon embrace Eva.
