Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg - Wagner [DVD] [2001] [NTSC]

---

---

Customer reviews

review by: date: 2009-01-31 rating:
Excellent performance. Excellent sound. Buy it.
Let's start with the technicalities. The picture and sound quality of this disk are superb!The picture is anamorphic wide screen (even though the box describes it as 4:3) and gives crystal-clear reproduction of Gil Wechsler's 'Old Master' lighting effects. The DTS 5.1 sound faithfully reproduces the ambience of the Met (even including the guy with the cough, a few rows down on my left), and is outstanding for a live performance. br / br /The performance? It's the Met - what do you expect? Levine and the Met Orchestra were in top form, extracting every bit of humor and pathos from some of Wagner's most beautiful music. br / br /I must confess that I was worried that James Wotan Morris could handle the essential humanity of Sachs, but I needn't have bothered - he was perfect. It was strange to see him singing with both eyes open, though. br / br /Thomas Allen's Beckmesser was a tour de force, reminding me of Hermann Prey. Not only does Allen sing well, but he is an excellent physical comedian. The scene in Sach's workshop was hilarious. He also managed to convey Beckmesser's malice - essential if he is not to be perceived as a pathetic victim. br / br /Ben Heppner's Walter was outstanding. It is said that nobody plays Walter well. Mr Heppner did. He's the first good Walter I've ever seen. br / br /Rene Pape's Pogner was beautifully sung and acted, but I can't help feeling that he looks a bit young for the part. Well, that's my fault for not suspending disbelief properly - his performance was impeccable. br / br /And now Karita Matilla. I'm probably going to be lynched by one of her rabid followers, but I don't think she makes a particularly good Eva. Her voice was superb, and all that, but there has to be a chemistry between Eva and Sachs, and it just wasn't there. I don't think it was the fault of Morris, either. br / br /My favorite video production of Die Meistersinger is the 1984 Bayreuth production with Weikl as Sachs. At the time I bought the Met version, the Bayreuth production wasn't available on DVD. Until it was, the Met Meistersinger ably took its place. br /

---

review by: date: 2008-05-11 rating:
The Mastersingers of New York
"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. br / br /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. br / br /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. br / br /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. br / br /The only extra provided consists of an interesting picture gallery of the opera showing scenes from previous productions of this work at the Met. br /

---

review by: Max date: 2007-06-07 rating:
Lavish
This is such a great value DVD, it deserved more than 5 stars :o) Not only is the video and sound quality superb, the staging is lavish and fitting of this huge Opera, but wait until you hear the music. From the moment you see Levine walk to the podium to start the Overture/Prelude I was gripped. The Orchestra play it to perfection and then comes the first scence with the solemn chorus and the solo performances that follow are out of this world. The balance between stage and orchestra pit is very well judged and you feel you are at the live performance. If you are a Wagner fan, then this DVD is a must have along with Levine's Ring cycle (also recorded at the Met).

---

review by: Enigma*** date: 2007-04-06 rating:
What a revelation
I have known the music to most of this opera for getting on for sixty years but have never seen it staged. This performance is superb especially James Morris as Hans Sachs and the Beckmesser of Thomas Allen. The staging and costumes are in keeping with the time it was written. (No modern update here). To watch this opera along with the english subtitles really brings home the comedy of the piece. Don't be put off by the length of it. This is no Pagliaaci. Watch it over two nights if necessary but if you like Wagner's music and have never seen one of his opera's give this a try. Better still rent it from Amazon as I did. You can purchase it later.It is cheaper than four CD's anyway.


review by: date: 2006-12-11 rating:
Meister production !
No DVD can reproduce the atmosphere of live performance, but this one br /comes about as close as possible. This performance radiates personality, charm and emotion with singing that's second to none. As other reviews have noted there are extremely fine performances from James Morris, Ben Heppner and René Pape. Excellent pcm recording if you don't have surround with detailed and well lit images which appear to dwarf the size of the Met. This DVD would still be a bargain at twice the price !

---

Similar products

Parsifal - Wagner/Stein [DVD] [2007]
Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen -- Metropolitan/Levine [DVD] [2002] [NTSC]
Daniel Barenboim - Wagner - Tristan und Isolde [DVD] [2007]
Otello [DVD]
Der Fliegende Hollander - (The Flying Dutchman) Wagner [DVD] [1985] [NTSC]

---

Similar categories

Music . Special Features . Deutsche Grammophon
Music . Styles . Classical . Classical Instrumental . Composers . U-Z . Wagner
Music . Styles . Classical . Classical Instrumental . Record Labels . Deutsche Grammophon
Music . Styles . Classical . Opera Vocal . Opera . By Composer . Operas-Complete . Wagner
Music . Styles . Classical . Opera Vocal . Opera . General AAS
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Categories . Musicals Classical . Classical Music . All Classical Music
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Categories . Musicals Classical . Musicals Stage Performances . Stage Shows
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Categories . Musicals Classical . Opera . Composers . Wagner
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Categories . Musicals Classical . Opera . All Opera
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Substores . Regular Stores . DVD Bargains . All DVD Special Offers
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . DVD
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Refinements . Editions (feature_two_browse-bin) . Standard Edition
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Refinements . Region(feature_browse-bin) . Region 0
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Refinements . Release Date (feature_three_browse-bin) . 2000 and later
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Refinements . Language (theme_browse-bin) . German

---