Review - Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg at the Royal Opera House
Published: 22 December, 2011
by SEBASTIAN TAYLOR
Graham Vick’s much-acclaimed 1993 production of Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg is back at the Royal Opera House, still as enchanting as ever and hardly showing its years.
That’s mainly due to enthusiastic conducting by ROH music director Antonio Pappano in charge of Wagner’s comedy for the first time at Covent Garden.
His emphatic, driving style highlights the cascade of motifs running through the opera while his control of duets, trios and quartets brings out the Mozart in Wagner, unexpected though that may be.
At times, though, the instrumental music is placed on a competitive footing with the singing, rather than supporting the soloists during the long evening.
That’s not a problem for German bass-baritone Wolfgang Koch (pictured with Emma Bell) making his ROH debut as the cobbler Hans Sachs, his huge voice surging above the instrumental competition yet handling the key role with great sensitivity.
New Zealand tenor Simon O’Neill works hard to be the passionate knight Walther while British soprano Emma Bell serves up an attractive Eva, the object of Walther’s affections.
There are also strong performances from Australian baritone Peter Coleman-Wright as Beckmesser, also hot for Eva, and bass John Tomlinson as Eva’s father Pogner.
Islington-resident tenor Toby Spence is in excellent voice as David the apprentice, barely a month after receiving plaudits for singing Lensky in ENO’s new Eugene Onegin.
• Five more performances till January 8, 020 7304 4000, www.roh.org.uk
• The production will be broadcast live by BBC Radio 3 on New Year’s Day from 14.45pm.