The Mastersingers of Nuremberg was Wagner’s only mature comedy, and his only work dealing with ordinary historical figures. In this classic recording, made during a rehearsal and five performances given at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus in 1951, the leading rôles are taken by the foremost Wagnerian singers of the day including Elizabeth Schwarzkopf as Eva and the distinguished bass-baritone Otto Edelmann as Sachs. This recording, produced by the legendary Walter Legge and conducted by Herbert von Karajan, whom Legge had signed up to record for Columbia after WWII, enjoyed some distinction when originally released on 68 sides, as the largest work ever issued complete on 78 rpm records.