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Rating: 
Summary: A worthy Meistersinger
Review: First of all this is a review of the DVD and the cut Act III prelude is intact as is everything else. The problem is that the sound is compressed to a noticeable degree. It is rather annoying. Fortunately this is a good performance. Not that there couldn't be a better one. But the MET performance of this year will probably not be out for two or three years and Wagner lovers in the meantime can savor this disk. McKerras leads a fine orchestra. The soloists are overall good if not outstanding and they look their parts. No funny stuff in the production. Satisfying all around execpt for that sound.
Rating:
Summary: Not so bad
Review: For those who hesitate to purchase this video after reading the previous review, I want to tell you that there IS prelude to Act III in VHS version (I don't know about LD version , and I did not recognize where the "poor splice" was), so you need not worry about cuts. Though there may be a better production of Meistersinger, it is worth the price, considering it is the only Meistersinger available in VHS format. In fact, I enjoyed it. As for the performance of Sachs, I think it is the matter of interpretation, not the problem of quality.
Rating: 
Summary: Inferior to Bayreuth/Stein because of severe cut
Review: Good performance except for cut of entire prelude to Act III and, at least in Laserdisc version, contains noticeable poor splice near end of Act II. Hans Sachs seems old, possibly somewhat feeble, and his essentially throwing a tantrum during Act III scene in his shop seems out of character for my perception of the personality of Hans Sachs.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious Beckmesser, muscular Sachs, nice atmosphere
Review: I think the previous reviewers do this video an injustice. Donald McIntyre is magnificent in the dialogue parts, although he does appear a bit goofy in his monologues. His interactions with other characters, particularly Beckmesser, are well-acted and interesting.John Pringle is just about perfect as Beckmesser. His prissy manners and pedantic hand-gestures and his uncomfortable facial expressions kept me laughing all through the performance. For those of you who know the british BLACKADDER TV series, John Pringle is what Rowan Atkinson would be if he were an opera singer instead of a shakespearean actor. I admit, though, that many of the other cast members are unsatisfactory. Why is David so much taller than Walther? Why is Eva so much fatter than Magdelene? Why is Pogner so creaky and lame? Why is Kothner so wobbly? No good answers here. The end of Act I has a pretty funny moment--as Walther (Paul Frey) rushes off the stage after being rejected by the Masters, he accidently knocks over a large piece of the set. If you have never seen MEISTERSINGER, this video will serve as a nice introduction if you are able to focus on the good parts and not be put off by the weaknesses.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious Beckmesser, muscular Sachs, nice atmosphere
Review: I think the previous reviewers do this video an injustice. Donald McIntyre is magnificent in the dialogue parts, although he does appear a bit goofy in his monologues. His interactions with other characters, particularly Beckmesser, are well-acted and interesting. John Pringle is just about perfect as Beckmesser. His prissy manners and pedantic hand-gestures and his uncomfortable facial expressions kept me laughing all through the performance. For those of you who know the british BLACKADDER TV series, John Pringle is what Rowan Atkinson would be if he were an opera singer instead of a shakespearean actor. I admit, though, that many of the other cast members are unsatisfactory. Why is David so much taller than Walther? Why is Eva so much fatter than Magdelene? Why is Pogner so creaky and lame? Why is Kothner so wobbly? No good answers here. The end of Act I has a pretty funny moment--as Walther (Paul Frey) rushes off the stage after being rejected by the Masters, he accidently knocks over a large piece of the set. If you have never seen MEISTERSINGER, this video will serve as a nice introduction if you are able to focus on the good parts and not be put off by the weaknesses.
Rating:
Summary: Crippled by poor sound quality and cast
Review: I'm very disappointed with the sound quality here as there is a very noticable compression and background hiss. I did not like Doese at all. Her acting seemed contrived and was very uncomfortable throughout. Frey does his best but is not suited for this role. Doigt is good as David. McIntyre is just okay. The sets are for the most part good and the 'Dances of the prentices' scene is very well done. The Mackerras led orchestra was competent but uninspiring. I love Meistersinger but this DVD surely can't be satisfactory with that bad sound. I keep wondering when/if the Met will fill the void.
Rating:
Summary: Crippled by poor sound quality and cast
Review: Nothing fancy, no tricks, only the opera performed by good singers in a traditional production. McIntire as Sachs and Pringle as Beckmmesser are great, everyone else more than pulls their own weight. Well done group scenes and enough spectacle to be true to the story.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable
Review: Nothing fancy, no tricks, only the opera performed by good singers in a traditional production. McIntire as Sachs and Pringle as Beckmmesser are great, everyone else more than pulls their own weight. Well done group scenes and enough spectacle to be true to the story.
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