Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
| Otto Klemperer |
Chorus and Orchestra of the Budapest State Opera |
Date/Location 11 April 1949 State Opera Budapest | | Recording Type live | studio | live compilation | live and studio | |
Cast
Hans Sachs | György Losonczy |
Veit Pogner | Mihály Székely |
Kunz Vogelgesang | Lászlo Külkey |
Konrad Nachtigall | Lajos Katona |
Sixtus Beckmesser | Oszkár Maleczky |
Fritz Kothner | István Koszó |
Balthasar Zorn | József Jóviczky |
Ulrich Eißlinger | Lajos Somogyvári |
Augustin Moser | Gyula Toronyi |
Hermann Ortel | Pál Rissay |
Hans Schwartz | Endre Várhelyi |
Hans Foltz | Ervin Galsay |
Walther von Stolzing | József Simándy |
David | János Sárdy |
Eva | Júlia Osváth |
Magdalene | Mária Budanovits |
Ein Nachtwächter | Lajos Tóth |
Reviews
ClassicsToday.com
If you’ve ever wanted to hear Wagner’s Die Meistersinger sung in Hungarian, these excerpts from a live 1949 Hungarian State Opera production more than fit the bill. Some of the singing is quite good. György Losonczy makes a commanding Hans Sachs, although the Pogner, Mihály Székely, has the more individual voice. Jozsef Simandy’s solid, lyrical Walther is partnered by Julia Osváth’s unmemorable Eva. The second-rate Hungarian State Opera orchestra is galvanized by Otto Klemperer’s vital hand, from the flexible sweep of the Act One Prelude to the sensitive pacing of the more intimate, conversational scenes. Those who associate Klemperer with the monolithic tempos and granite-like will that characterized his later studio recordings are in for a surprise. Although this release (once available on Hungaraton LPs, and seemingly remastered with a dash of stereo spread) has limited appeal to general audiences, listeners of a more specialist and scholarly bent will be glad to know it’s in print again. Informative notes are included, but no texts or translations.
Artistic Quality: 8
Sound Quality: 3
Jed Distler
Rating
(6/10)
Technical Specifications
32 bkit/s, 22.05 kHz, 50 MByte (MP3)
About 1/4 of act 3 is missing. If you have a complete recording, please let me know.
Remarks
Sung in Hungarian