Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg.(Video Recording Review)

WAGNER: Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg

Mattila, Grove; Morris, Heppner, Allen, Pape, Polenzani; Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus, Levine. Production: Schenk. Deutsche Grammophon DVD B0003455-09, 292 mins., subtitled

There may have been cold feet in the upper echelons of the Met's management during the December 2001 videotaping of this Meistersinger. Ben Heppner, who had sung the role of Walther von Stolzing so beautifully for the company in 1993, had hit a bad vocal patch, often tending to crack during the high notes of his prize song. Somehow, probably through multiple tapings and the wizardry of sound editing, none of that strain is apparent on this DVD. Heppner's tones are gorgeously lyrical. He may not look much like a young Franconian knight, but he certainly sounds the way you'd imagine one would.

Of course, any Meistersinger rises or falls on the strength of its Sachs. James Morris was making his house debut in the role, which he had spent five years preparing. The character fits him beautifully; he sings the enormous part as if he had been performing it for decades. A slow beat is discernible, particularly on sustained phrases, but it should be noted that Morris has since conquered that problem and is currently singing better than many of his bass-baritone contemporaries.

When Karita Mattila first appeared in the production in 1993, the role of Eva did not seem to lie well in her voice. There were no such problems by the time of this taping; she sings the role with ...