Wagner - Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg [Levine, Heppner] [DVD] [2004] [NTSC] [2005]

I love the Mastersingers placed in the setting it supposed to be in - somewhere around 16th century - I hate modern setting, interpretations like the 20th century where the apprentices are likely be dressed in Bib and Brace overalls and the masters dressed as gangsters, blue collar workers or whatever, I want 16th Century costumes, pageantry, cod pieces and doublet and hose etc. and this is what you get with this version - Plus some of the best singing ever! Especially Ben Heppner as Walther Von Stolzing The prize song in beautiful and reminds me of Placido Domingo singing the role - a very young sounding voice. It's a long opera and I've sat through it on numerous occasions in my life, including Bayreuth in the early 80's - Great thing about DVD's is that you can plan to watch an act or two then pick it up a bit later when you're ready I recommend this version!

This is my first outing to the world of Wagner, so I have to take this DVD at face value, knowing nothing about the great composer and his works. I cannot compare this version with any others. The costumes and scenery were so appropriate to the story, which, I have to admit, was very slow. But with English subtitles I understood the main themes. The acting by ALL the cast was spot on, and I was very impressed with Thomas Allen and his comic performance. That, to me, was the highlight. I have always been a fan of Rene Pape, as he has such presence on stage, but he was not on stage performing as much as the others. I loved the correlation between the work of a cobbler and the art of the poet. There was some very clever dialogue. I would not go mad over the actual music, as it seemed very difficult to sing, and nothing much remained in my head of the tunes after I had finished watching it. Unlike Verdi and Puccini operas, there is always something to be sung afterwards. Everyone played their part with enjoyement and enthusiasm. James Levine conducted the orchestra with his usual enthusiasm. The audience quite rightly were very appreciative of such a wonderful performance. I might now have a go at something else Wagnerian. Any suggestions would be greatly welcome.

The singing and general staging in this performance are fine. Traditional and well sung and pretty well acted by all. The orchestral contribution is great and the conducting fine. Why the quibbles then? Simply because this is HD and it requires too much of a suspension of disbelief when you see the cast close up. Both Eva and Walther look older than the father, Pogner. And can we really believe Heppner - as well as he sings - to be a dashing young knight? Sorry but this simply won't do. Fine if you were ope the back row of the Met. Not in HD though

"It didn't fit any of the rules." Thus does Hans Sachs contemplate at his leisure the new song by Stolzing, which provides the autobiographical key to Wagner's great comic opera. This DVD features a performance of Otto Schenk's traditionalist 1993 production at the Met. The performance was filmed live in December 2001.A beaming James Levine clearly enjoys himself in the orchestra pit as he commences the opening prelude, and that smile of joy is prevalent throughout the following 290 minutes. The glorious sound of his orchestra and the perfect phrasing are a joy to hear.The cast are superb. James Morris as the hero Sachs is indescribably flawless; Thomas Allen is equally so as the prim and officious Beckmesser, and when both are on stage together, they are a delight to behold; Matthew Polenzani provides benign humour (Beckmesser's humour is tragic) through his portrayal of the apprentice David; and Rene Pape as Pogner displays the pride of a successful businessman who seeks fame by auctioning his daughter, truly a man who knows the price of everything but the value of nothing.The casting is not visually perfect. Ben Heppner is too old to play Stolzing. He looks as if he could even be Eva's father. And he is too large to be a convincing beau, at least by contemporary standards. But his fine voice and committed performance cannot be doubted. Despite her mature beauty, Karita Mattila as the innocent and naïve Eva is, I'm afraid, for me too old to be convincing in the part too. But once these disappointments are taken on board, their performances are so good, and the music is so divine, that I still nevertheless consider this DVD to be worthy of five stars.The only extra provided consists of an interesting picture gallery of the opera showing scenes from previous productions of this work at the Met.

The New York Met has produced some fine operas over the years, many of them, much to the delight of opera fans, are now available on glorious DVD. This is an example of what could be achieved with tremendous production values; a brilliant orchestra led by maestro James Levine, and a wonderful cast led by the veteran James Morris. Its a fantastic achievement all round. The lovely Karita Mattila is in fine singing voice, aided by Jill Grove as her friend Magdalene. Ben Heppner has a wonderful consistant tone as Stolzing although he may not look the part, he does sing with much passion and style. The well known Baritone Thomas Allen brings the difficult part of Beckmesser alive with much charm and humour. You cannot help feeling quite sorry for him during the climax of the opera. And of course, James Morris, who after his successful role as Wotan in the mighty Tetralogy Des Nibelungen sings the taxing role of Hans Sach with great determination, skill and much warmth. I do not think I have seen a production of Meisteringers which match Wagners production notes. I do think he would have been quite pleased with it. Picture and sound is very good indeed, especially if you have a 5:1 Surround System. A very good buy.

The product arrived a week before the estimated arrival date, it was advertised as used and in very good condition, it was in excellent condition, I would say as new, both the discs and its case, so very pleased with it! The production is brilliant good singing and acting though very long about four hours, but most Wagnerian operas tend to be so!