Glyndebourne Opera House,Lewes
On its first revival, David McVicar’s good-looking production feels less convincing and offers few real insights into Wagner’s comedy. Gerald Finley’s Sachs remains a standoutWhen it was new, or in 2011,David McVicar’s Glyndebourne production of Wagner’s supreme comedy was much admired for its reticence – for an attention to detail that refused to prioritise political point-making over clear storytelling. Revived for the first time to open the 2016 season, however, and such a treatment of Die Meistersinger feels less convincing. As a piece of stagecraft it remains immaculate; presenting such a hugely demanding work convincingly is always a considerable achievement. But as the drama unfolds over its five-hour course,there’s a need for something more to hang on to than narrative and glorious music, for something that offers insights into the opera or its individual characters, and preferably on both.Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com