Performer: Franz Mazura

There's little to like in Andrea Moses' production, but a fine cast and glorious playing and conducting make for an enthralling performance of Wagner's grand comedy.  

Evelyn Herlitzius and Adrianne Pieczonka are unsinkable in the the French director's final production, conducted with impressive symphonic sweep by Daniel Barenboim. 

Staatsoper Berlin opens its season with a strong new production of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg that pays homage to the past and at the same time points to the future.