Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (complete opera recorded in 2013)

"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.