Die Meistersinger at the ROH

[duncan]

It was lovely: he took the text seriously by showing pictures of great German artists (of all races etc) at the close. People obsess about the mentions of German 'Rule', but there as many about German 'Kunst'. He elided the two, in effect (as Wagner tended to do) making us aware of the heavy debt we owe to germanic culture - and how we are shaped (though perhaps not actually governed?) by it.

The drop curtain featured the same icons of Germanic culture, so we had been primed. It was a wonderful moment when the townsfolk, one-by-one, revealed their pictures during Sachs' big speech.

[David-G]

... it will be the first Glyndebourne production which will remain in my memory (and be refreshed from the DVD !).

And so it should. A magnificent production which deserves to remain in the memory.

[Frances_iom]

well tonight Bryn was replaced by the understudy for the final procession scene + 'nationalistic' monologue - don't know why - no announcement

[LHC]

well tonight Bryn was replaced by the understudy for the final procession scene + 'nationalistic' monologue - don't know why - no announcement

I was there as well last night. Bryn was clearly struggling in Act III and was quite hoarse by the beginning of the quintet. I did wonder if he would be able to carry on, and was not entirely surprised when the understudy appeared in scene 2. When they both came out for their joint curtain call, Bryn pointed to his stomach and pulled a face in explanation. I assumed this was a general indication he was unwell, rather than that he had a stomach upset.

I thought the understudy did very well, as he would have almost no notice that he would have to go (I think he was still wearing his own clothes under the ornate cloak Sachs wears in the final scene). I doubt as well that he had had much of a rehearsal. When Beckmesser was singing his version of the prize song, I think I spotted Allan Clayton explaining to him his moves during the rest of the production.