Wagner – Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
Gerald Finley; Marco Jentzsch;
Johannes Martin Kränzle; Anna Gabler; London Philharmonic Orchestra; Glyndebourne Chorus; Vladimir Jurowski
Opus Arte OA 1085 D

To sit through Wagner’s over five-hour long comic masterpiece in the opera house is a daunting task but on DVD in the comfort of home it becomes joyful and rewarding. From Glyndebourne’s new Opera House the piece springs to fresh new life under David McVicar’s innovative direction. Fully aware of how this opera has been bound to “sacred” Germanic traditions he has made a few striking departures to make it relevant to today’s audiences not with directorial “tricks” but by adding a new thoroughly human dimension.

Canadian baritone Gerald Finley is an inspired choice for Hans Sachs, the hero of the opera, traditionally portrayed as an old man. Many of Wagner’s operas are somewhat autobiographical and seeing himself as Sachs, a still handsome, virile and wise middle-aged artist surely would have pleased Wagner. Finley proves to be wonderful in this complex and difficult role.

Wagner also saw himself as the rebellious young lover, Walther von Stolzing, sung by Marco Jentzsch, not the traditional beefcake heldentenor but a handsome youth with a voice of gentle tenderness embedded in the Wagnerian power. Just like the composer, Walther is also intent on breaking into the “Establishment” with his new music, but encounters strong resistance in Beckmesser (alias Hanslick, Wagner’s arch critic) who in this new setting is no bungling fool, but a man of some stature, portrayed superbly by J.M. Kränzle.

The distinguished cast is well chosen, look the part, act and sing gloriously. Add to all this the London Philharmonic in the orchestra pit and a young conductor, Vladimir Jurowsky, who controls Wagner’s multi-layered polyphonic, contrapuntal score like a Karajan reborn.