07.02.2026

DAVID STEFFENS | Role debut as Veit Pogner in Stuttgart

At the Stuttgart State Opera, where he has been a permanent member of the ensemble since the 2015/2016 season, David Steffens has performed several Wagner roles over the years: from Heinrich der Vogler in Lohengrin to Fasolt and Fafner in Das Rheingold and Siegfried to Hunding in Die Walküre and Gurnemanz in Parsifal – the latter role a milestone for every bass singer in the German repertoire – he has been able to gradually expand and develop his repertoire. He also appeared on stage at the opera house in Lille, France, as King Marke in Tristan und Isolde.

With the upcoming new production of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg in Stuttgart, he adds another important Wagner role to his repertoire with the goldsmith Veit Pogner. Director Elisabeth Stöppler and Cornelius Meister tell a piece of German history and mentality between upheaval and restoration, and in this ‘German Midsummer Night's Dream’ (Elisabeth Stöppler) they focus on the relationship between the generations – linked to the question of why what was may also be what will be.
 

Cast

Martin Gantner, Hans Sachs
David Steffens, Veit Pogner
Torsten Hofmann, Kunz Vogelgesang
Shigeo Ishino, Konrad Nachtigal
Björn Bürger, Sixtus Beckmesser
Paweł Konik, Fritz Kothner
Heinz Göhrig, Balthasar Zorn
Dominic Große, Ulrich Eisslinger
Sam Harris, Augustin Moser
Stephan Bootz, Hermann Ortel
Franz Hawlata, Hans Schwarz
Torben Jürgens, Hans Foltz
Daniel Behle, Walther von Stolzing
Kai Kluge, David
Esther Dierkes, Eva
Maria Theresa Ullrich, Magdalena
Michael Nagl, Night Watchman

Cornelius Meister, Musical Director
Elisabeth Stöppler, Director
Valentin Köhler, Set Design
Gesine Völlm, Costume Design
Elana Siberski, Lighting Design
Manuel Pujo, Chorus Master
Ingo Gerlach, Dramaturgy

Stuttgart State Orchestra
Stuttgart State Opera Chorus