Die Meistersinger FROM Nuremberg

[Chris Newman]

I originally posted this in the A Night at the Opera Thread and realised it has got lost. I am intrigued to find what others think about a very brave stab by one of Germany's lesser companies. After all they do not have the money of Berlin, Hamburg or Bayreuth.

Having withdrawal symptoms for Wagner?

You will either love or hate this production of Die Meistersinger from the little opera company in Nurnberg itself I found on Artelive tv. Imagine English Touring Opera or Holland Park doing Die Meistersinger. MOST of the cast are very young. The conductor takes things at a lick and keeps the orchestral volume down to avoid too much strain. One or two of the young cast are outstanding: Beckmesser. I think everyone has a very brave stab at their part: they are not all Wagnerian voices by a long shot.

Production: very lively. Sets: almost Roy Lichtenstein. It is the sort of performance that newcomers to Wagner would love as it is romantic and funny. I think it works.

http://liveweb.arte.tv/fr/video/Les_maitres_chanteurs_de_Nuremberg/

Conductor: Marcus Bosch
Director: David Israeli-Mouchtar-Samorai
Set: Heinz Hauser
Costume: Urte Eicker


Albert Pesendorfer (Hans Sachs), Guido Jentjens (Veit Pogner), Christoph Wittmann (Kunz Vogelgesang), Kurt Schober (Konrad Nachtigall), Jochen Kupfer (Sixtus Beckmesser), Martin Berner (Fritz Kothner), Martin Platz (Balthasar Zorn), Philip Carmichael (Ulrich Eißlinger), Martin Nyvall (Augustin Moser), Yong Jae Moon (Hermann Ortel), Vladislav Solodyagin (Hans Schwarz), Daeyoung Kim (Hans Foltz), Michael Putsch (Walther von Stolzing), Tilman Lichdi (David), Michaela Maria Mayer (Eva), Leila Pfister (Magdalena), Randall Jakobsh (Nightwatchman), Chor Staatstheater Nürnberg (Tarmo Vaask)

[Chris Newman]

Apologies that the link seems to die after a few hours. I have renewed it above. If the page says it has expired it can be found by following links. There is also a Ring Cycle available.

[Bert Coules]

I've just been dipping into this: what an enjoyable production, quite beautiful to look at and with some lovely touches. I don't believe I've ever before seen the mischievous spirits which Sachs theorises were responsible for the act two riot (and their leader in full Nijinksy Faun gear, too). Thanks so much for the link.

[Chris Newman]

Hi Bert, I felt sorry for the poor Walter who had little voice left for the Prize Song but everyone deserved 10/10 for effort. Great Beckmesser already and very promising Sachs.

Must dash. Old school reunion today.

bws
Chris.

[Chris Newman]

Hi Bert, I got home last night from a boozy weekend away and re-enjoyed Act 2. Isn't it imaginative? I think I under-estimated the Sachs (Albert Pesendorfer) when I said he was promising. He is very good. Looks just like a tubbier Johnny Depp, though I daresay he is younger than JD. We have been spoilt with Die Meistersinger these last two years.