Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
Some singers want to record everything in the repertory, suitable or unsuitable to their voices. Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau was one of those singers, and the breadth of his recordings is astonishing. While his artistry is undoubted, his instrument lacks the depth to successfully essay the wise cobbler-poet Hans Sachs. Like Fischer-Dieskau, Placido Domingo also finds himself in unusual Wagnerian territory in this recording, and on the whole is not so successful as he was later withTannhäuserandLohengrindue to his initial difficulties with German diction. However, the biggest flaw in this recording is the substandard chorus work--a disaster for any opera so dependent on large choruses asDie Meistersinger.This recording is ideal for die hard fans of Fischer-Dieskau and Domingo, but far less than perfect if it is the onlyMeistersingerin one's collection.--Christian C. Rix