Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Blu-ray)

"A fresh, charming and perceptive production, magical and irresistible!" (New York Times) "All narrative and poetry is nothing but the key to true dreams" (Hans Sachs). Spontaneously emerging from just such a truthful dream by the cobbler-poet on Midsummer Night, this new staging of Richard Wagner's "Meistersinger" burst upon the Salzburg Festival like a thunderclap. Stefan Herheim's idea of staging a midsummer night's dream as a fairytale narrative is enchanting and with this admirably matched ensemble of excellent singer-players, all of whom bring sharp contours to their roles, and the brilliant details of characterization, they make each scene an experience to cherish.