Wagner - Tannhauser / Levine, Cassilly, Marton, The Metropolitan Opera
ThisTannhäuseris a fine example of something that unfortunately  has become rare: a modern Wagner opera performance that Wagner would certainly  have applauded. Under the artistic leadership of conductor James Levine, the production team of director Otto Schenk and designer Günther Schneider-Siemssen  has adhered strictly to the composer's wishes. These are not hard to fathom;   they were clearly articulated in his lifetime and rigorously enforced at  Bayreuth long after his death. But in the last half-century they have been  frequently violated by his descendants and heirs, among others. The temptation  to plumb these music dramas for symbols and allegories is almost irresistible.  In this production, like the later Met edition of theRingcycle, the  artists sensibly allow each audience member to develop a personal interpretation  without undue interference. The singers--Richard Cassilly, Eva Marton, Tatiana  Troyanos, Bernd Weikl, and John Macurdy--are superbly matched to their roles.--Joe McLellan