[Woodduck]

It depends partly on whether I'm watching it or just listening. Mozart can provide a delightful evening in the theater, but on recordings I'm bored senseless by secco recitative and so avoid his operas. For pure musical nourishment I guess it has to be Meistersinger and Falstaff.

Is anyone familiar with Adam's Postillon de Lonjumeau? Silliest plot imaginable, and with good singing and conducting it's sheer ludicrous delight. Why don't they stage it nowadays?

 

[Woodduck]

Meistersinger last over 4 hours but it feels like 2 hours.

Depends on whether you're feeling it with your heart or with your derriere.

 

[Woodduck]

The answer of course is Meistersingers… Sixtus Beckmesser is the kind of character that Mel Brooks and Woody Allen have been affecting and perfecting over the last 70 years…

Trashy Italian opera does not count...

How about nontrashy Italian opera?

Hmmm... Relative to Meistersinger, only one title comes to mind.