This 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 fairy tale narrative is enchanting and with this admirably matched ensemble of excellent singer-actors, all of whom bring sharp contours to their roles, and the brilliant details of characterisation make each scene an experience to cherish.

This lavish and absolutely splendid stage set radiates youthful charm and conjures up a flood of incomparable images.

Roberto Saccà is a Walther von Stolzing who shows effortless control in his superb realization of the part; Michael Volle has both the voice and the acting ability to flesh out a fascinatingly multi-layered portrait of the masterful Hans Sachs.

Amazing to see how convincingly the chorus of the Vienna State Opera acts out the crowds and “how splendid the Vienna Philharmonic sounds” (Neue Zürcher Zeitung).

Reissue of the successful DVD & Blu-ray release

“A fresh, charming and perceptive production, magical and irresistible!” – New York Times

Picture: 16:9 – NTSC
Sound: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1
Subtitles: E/D/F/S/I/J
Region code: 0 (worldwide)
Running time: 270 mins
Production: 2013