Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

James Levine’s love for Wagner’s great human comedy is evident in every measure of this performance, with the Met’s orchestra and chorus in thrilling form. Ben Heppner (Walther) and Karita Mattila (Eva) play the young couple in love, whose future happiness is threatened by the town clerk Beckmesser (Hermann Prey at the height of his powers), who wants Eva for himself. Fortunately Hans Sachs (Bernd Weikl), Nürnberg’s beloved shoemaker and poet, is as crafty as he is wise—and everything ends well.