Wagner: Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg / Reiner, Schöffler

$44.99
Label
Orfeo
Release Date
September 16, 2005
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      WAGNER, RICHARD
    • PERFORMER
      Schoffler, Frick, Waechter, Kunz, Braun, Beirer, Dickie, Seefried, Anday, Chor Der Wiener Staatsoper
    Product Details ⌄
    Works ⌄

    1. Act I Scene 1: Prelude

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    2. Act I Scene 1: Da zu dir der Heiland kam (Chorus)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Chor der Wiener Staatsoper, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    3. Act I Scene 1: Verweilt! Ein Wort! (Walther, Eva, Magdalene, David)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Hans Beirer, Irmgard Seefried, Rosette Anday, Murray Dickie

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    4. Act I Scene 2: David, was stehst? (Apprentices, David)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Chor der Wiener Staatsoper, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Murray Dickie

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    5. Act I Scene 3: Fanget an! (David, Walther, Apprentices)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Chor der Wiener Staatsoper, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Murray Dickie, Hans Beirer

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    6. Act I Scene 3: Seid meiner Treue wohl versehen (Pogner, Beckmesser, Walther, Sachs, Nachtigal, Chorus)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Chor der Wiener Staatsoper, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Gottlob Frick, Erich Kunz, Hans Beirer, Paul Schöffler, Eberhard Wächter

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    7. Act I Scene 3: Zu einer Freiung und Zunftberatung (All)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Chor der Wiener Staatsoper, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Paul Schöffler, Gottlob Frick, Karl Terkal, Eberhard Wächter, Erich Kunz, Hans Braun, Hans Beirer, Ljubomir Pantscheff, Murray Dickie, Adolf Vogel, Harald Pröglhöf, William Wernigk, Erich Majkut, Fritz Sperlbauer, Irmgard Seefried, Rosette Anday, Frederick Guthrie

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    8. Act I Scene 3: Das schone fest, Johannistag (Pogner, Meister, Sachs, Kothner, Beckmesser, Nachtigall, Chorus)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Chor der Wiener Staatsoper, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Gottlob Frick, Paul Schöffler, Hans Braun, Erich Kunz, Eberhard Wächter

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    9. Act I Scene 3: Wohl! Meister! Zur Tagesordnung kehrt! (Pogner, Beckmesser, Meister, Kothner, Nachtigall, Sachs)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Gottlob Frick, Erich Kunz, Hans Braun, Eberhard Wächter, Paul Schöffler

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    10. Act I Scene 3: Am stillen Herd in Winterszeit (Walther, Sachs, Beckmesser, Kothner, Chorus)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Chor der Wiener Staatsoper, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Hans Beirer, Paul Schöffler, Erich Kunz, Hans Braun

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    11. Act I Scene 3: Nun, Meister, wenn's gefallt (Kothner, Walther, Beckmesser)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Hans Braun, Hans Beirer, Erich Kunz

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    12. Act I Scene 3: Fanget an! - So rief der Lenz (Walther, Beckmesser, Pogner, Meister, Kothner)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Hans Beirer, Erich Kunz, Gottlob Frick, Hans Braun

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    13. Act I Scene 6: Halt Meister! Nicht so geeilt! (Sachs, Beckmesser, Nachtigal, Kothner, Pogner, Meister, Walther, Apprentices)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Chor der Wiener Staatsoper, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Paul Schöffler, Erich Kunz, Eberhard Wächter, Hans Braun, Gottlob Frick, Hans Beirer

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    14. Act II Scene 1: Prelude - Johannistag! (Apprentices, David, Magdalene, Sachs)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Chor der Wiener Staatsoper, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Murray Dickie, Rosette Anday, Paul Schöffler

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    15. Act II Scene 2: Lass seh'n, ob Meister Sachs zu Haus? (Pogner, Eva, Magdalene)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Gottlob Frick, Irmgard Seefried, Rosette Anday

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    16. Act II Scene 3: Was duftet doch der Flieder (Sachs)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Paul Schöffler

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    17. Act II Scene 4: Gut'n Abend, Meister! (Eva, Sachs, Magdalene)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Irmgard Seefried, Paul Schöffler, Rosette Anday

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    18. Act II Scene 4: Das dacht' ich wohl! (Sachs, Magdalene, Eva, Pogner)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Paul Schöffler, Rosette Anday, Irmgard Seefried, Gottlob Frick

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    19. Act II Scene 5: Da ist er! (Eva, Magdalene, Walther, Nachtigall)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Irmgard Seefried, Rosette Anday, Hans Beirer, Eberhard Wächter

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    20. Act II Scene 5: Uble Dinge, die ich da merk' (Sachs, Walther, Eva)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Paul Schöffler, Erich Kunz, Irmgard Seefried

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    21. Act II Scene 5: Jerum! Jerum! (Sachs, Beckmesser, Eva, Walther)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Paul Schöffler, Erich Kunz, Irmgard Seefried, Hans Beirer

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    22. Act II Scene 5: Den Tag seh' ich erscheinen (Beckmesser, Sachs)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Erich Kunz, Paul Schöffler

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    23. Act II Scene 5: Seid ihr nun fertig? (Sachs, Beckmesser, Nachtigall, David)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Paul Schöffler, Erich Kunz, Eberhard Wächter, Murray Dickie

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    24. Act III Scene 1: Prelude

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    25. Act III Scene 1: Gleich, Meister! Hier! (David, Sachs)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Murray Dickie, Paul Schöffler

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    26. Act III Scene 1: Wahn! Wahn! (Sachs)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Paul Schöffler

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    27. Act III Scene 2: Gruss' Gott, mein Junker! (Sachs, Walther)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Hans Beirer, Paul Schöffler

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    28. Act III Scene 2: Morgenlich leuchtend in rosigem Schein (Walther, Sachs)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Hans Beirer, Paul Schöffler

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    29. Act III Scene 3: Ein Werbelied! (Beckmesser, Sachs)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Erich Kunz, Paul Schöffler

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    30. Act III Scene 4: Sieh' Ev'chen! Dacht' ich doch, wo sie blieb'! (Sachs, Eva)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Paul Schöffler, Irmgard Seefried

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    31. Act III Scene 4: Weilten die Sterne im lieblichen Tanz? (Walther, Sachs)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Hans Beirer, Paul Schöffler

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    32. Act III Scene 4: Hat man mit dem Schuhwerk nicht seine Not! (Sachs, Eva)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Paul Schöffler, Irmgard Seefried

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    33. Act III Scene 4: Ein Kind ward hier geboren (Sachs)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Paul Schöffler

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    34. Act III Scene 4: Die selige Morgentraum-Deutweise (Sachs, Eva, Walther, David, Magdalene)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Paul Schöffler, Hans Beirer, Murray Dickie, Rosette Anday

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    35. Act III Scebe 4: Interlude

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    36. Act III Scene 5: Ihr tanzt? Was werden die Meister sagen? (David, Chorus)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Chor der Wiener Staatsoper, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Murray Dickie

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    37. Act III Scene 5: Wach' auf (Chorus)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Chor der Wiener Staatsoper, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    38. Act III Scene 5: Euch macht ihr's leicht (Sachs, Pogner, Beckmesser, Kothner)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Paul Schöffler, Gottlob Frick, Erich Kunz, Hans Braun

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    39. Act III Scene 5: Zum Teufel! Wie wackelig! (Beckmesser, Meister, Kothner, Chorus)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Chor der Wiener Staatsoper, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Erich Kunz, Hans Braun

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    40. Act III Scene 5: Morgen ich leuchte in rosigem Schein (Beckmesser, Meister, Chorus)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Chor der Wiener Staatsoper, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Erich Kunz

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    41. Act III Scene 5: Verdammter Schuster! (Beckmesser, Meister, Chorus)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Chor der Wiener Staatsoper, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Erich Kunz

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    42. Act III Scene 5: Morgenlich leuchtend im rosigen Schein (Walther, Meister, Sachs, Pogner, Eva, Chorus)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Chor der Wiener Staatsoper, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Hans Beirer, Paul Schöffler, Gottlob Frick, Irmgard Seefried

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner

    43. Act III Scene 5: Verachtet mir die Meister nicht (Sachs, Chorus)

      Composer: Richard Wagner

      Ensemble: Chor der Wiener Staatsoper, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

      Performer: Paul Schöffler

      Conductor: Fritz Reiner


This performance, recorded on November 14, 1955, was part of the four-week festival that took place at the Vienna State Opera celebrating its reopening after having been destroyed near the end of World War II. Meistersinger had long been a Viennese favorite and was performed 65 times between 1949 and 1955 at the interim Theater an der Wien. It enjoyed luxury casting and great conductors: Clemens Krauss, Rudolf Moralt, Hans Knappertsbusch, Karl Böhm, Rudolf Kempe, and Fritz Busch. For the return to the State Opera, director Karl Böhm invited the Hungarian-born Fritz Reiner, a perfectionist who in the previous 20 years had gained a reputation as one of America's finest conductors. Rehearsals, it was said, were grueling; but judging from this recording it was worth the work.

You can tell much about the entire performance from Reiner's Prelude. It is precise, grand, and detailed, with frisky, playful chattering in the upper strings underpinned by a more muscular approach in the lower strings. But it never becomes aggressive or reckless enough to smash into the opening scene; it grows into it naturally. (Where else can such a complex expression end but in prayer?) Throughout the opera we're treated to spirited tempos and playing from the Vienna Philharmonic that Reiner slows down to good effect: The Fliedermonolog is relaxed and as soft as cotton; the prelude to Act 3 wafts in the air gradually and wistfully; the quintet is a moment frozen in time and is presented with great breadth. We can feel what each character is feeling, even if a couple of them don't have the breath to express it.

Beckmesser's false "prize" song is slow to start, and so is the unease and eventual laughter of the assembled crowd. And the real "Prize Song" is accompanied lyrically, with sweep up to the high points, after which Sachs' speech about German art comes as a powerful missive. What the Viennese of 1955 thought of it, with its nasty recent memories, is anyone's guess, but the opera ends with true joy erupting, and much of it has to do with Reiner's ability to balance light and heavy, upper joy with lower gravity--a great reading.

Paul Schöffler, the possessor of a voice that never sounded young, is tonally a bit dry here but nonetheless does not present Sachs as an old man; he is vital and sure of himself. Sachs is a man who prods fate a bit, just because he can, and Schöffler sings with the assurance and potency and shading of a man of wisdom, his voice gaining in strength as the opera progresses. And his pianissimo singing is always handsome, never resorting to falsetto. His is the best Sachs on CD, bettering his own performance under Knappertsbusch on Decca.

Hans Beirer's Walther is neither as sweet and ardorous as Sandor Konya's nor as simply gorgeous as Domingo's (for Jochum on DG), and in fact he sounds indisposed. But his indisposition is only vocal, and while I realize how odd that sounds, his beautiful phrasing and shading, sincerity, vigor, and musicianship make up for a lack of grand tone and some dry singing. It's a performance impossible to dislike.

I was put off by Irmgard Seefried's Eva at first--her second act is too cutesy and pert--but she grows into the part and is lovely in the third act despite lacking anything like a trill. Gottlob Frick's Pogner is important. His address to the Masters in Act 1 has real authority and he's warm and tender with Eva in the second act. Erich Kunz sings all of Beckmesser's notes (save the silly falsetto high-A that ends his monolog in Sachs' shop) and has remarkable "face"; while we don't exactly feel sorry for him at the end, he clearly is not entirely mockable either. The David of Murray Dickie also is almost visible, and he sings with an impetuous young man's certainty, his high-Bs ringing out easily and pointedly. Rosette Anday's Magdalene is stodgy and hectoring; Eberhard Waechter's Nachtigall is mellifluous; and the other Mastersingers bark just a bit too much.

The sound is Austrian Radio mono from 1955 but sounds 10 years younger--grand and able to cope with the big climaxes, clear in the ensembles, clean in quiet moments. Aside from the Kubelik version (various labels, including Myto, Calig, Arts) with Thomas Stewart, Konya, and Gundula Janowitz, and possibly Solti's second recording (Decca) with Ben Heppner, Karita Mattila, and (small-scale but impressive) José van Dam, this set goes to the top of the list.

--Robert Levine, ClassicsToday.com