DIE MEISTERSINGER

Schorr, Rethberg, Maison, Branzell, Habich, List / Bodanzky

Friedrich Schorr was the most renowned Hans Sachs in the first half of the past century. His few commercial recordings from this music-drama have long been cherished. Guild now offers his complete performance in which Elisabeth Rethberg's radiant portrayal of Eva is also heard. René Maison, the much extolled tenor from Belgium made his Met debut in the role of Walther a few weeks earlier and makes his radio debut in this broadcast. Eduard Habich, famed for his Alberich in Wagner's Ring dramas is heard in a striking characterization as Bechmesser. The recording, in better sound than characterized a previous limited CD edition, restores the truncated Euch macht ihr's leicht, Sach's famed reprise to the people of Nuremberg (in Act III), heard here in its complete form, making the Guild album a premiere release in this connection. It also includes the broadcast commentary and curtain calls, recreating an historic occasion in Metropolitan opera history. This, joined to a booklet offering extensive articles on the singers, the work and the composer, together with biographies and rare photographs, makes this another one of Guild's triumphant releases.