Mozart’s most exuberant opera returns to the Opera North stage this autumn in a production bursting with colour, drama and unforgettable music. There are so many reasons why The Magic Flute should be on everyone’s wishlist, but here are our top five.
1. A Fairy Tale for All Ages
The Magic Flute has all the ingredients you find in the best fairy tales: a prince looking for love, a princess who catches his eye and his heart, a monster which needs to be defeated before our hero can complete his quest, magical objects (in this case, a flute and some bells) – and a bird-hating queen!
Once you fall under The Magic Flute’s spell, you’ll be drawn into a topsy-turvy world where appearances can be deceptive and things are liable to change in an instant. It’s also a great choice if you’ve never been to the opera before as you’re sure to recognise some of the music. As director James Brining says: “It’s a brilliant piece of theatre with exquisite music throughout, that’s also emotionally, psychologically and visually engaging.”
Msimelelo Mbali as Sarastro © Tristram Kenton
2. Compelling Characters
There are some great characters in The Magic Flute. Take Papageno, the bird-catcher. He’s the guy who reluctantly agrees to join Prince Tamino in his mission to save Pamina from the clutches of Sarastro, the Priest of the Sun. Having led a relatively simple life until now, he’s thrown into a series of crazy adventures – unexpectedly discovering his true love along the way.
Another example of a striking presence on stage is the Queen of the Night, the mother of Pamina, who makes an immediate impression in a costume described by designer Colin Richmond, as “an odd mix of queen, scarecrow, plucked bird and 1930s Hollywood glamour gone to seed.”
Anna Dennis as the Queen of the Night with Egor Zhuravskii as Tamino © Tristram Kenton
3. The Magic of Mozart
Make no mistake, Mozart’s music is loved by so many people for a very good reason: it offers one beautiful melody after another. Quite apart from that, what the composer does so brilliantly in this opera is to use different styles to reflect each character’s personality. James Brining adds: “Having directed some of the best loved musicals in the repertoire, The Magic Flute matches them for hum-ability, unforgettable earworms, virtuosic vocal fireworks and incredible anthemic walls of sound from the chorus. Musically it’s an absolute treat and one with an amazing story to match.”
Listen out too for the bits of dialogue which are interspersed among the singing – something you don’t often get in opera.
4. Dramatic Designs
From the moment the curtain goes up at the start of the opera, the scene is set for an exciting adventure, with all the action taking place in a visually compelling space. The walls shift shape as the story progresses, with projections adding to the feeling that nothing is quite as it seems and surprises lie in wait around every corner.
The amazing costumes are equally fantastical with many influenced by popular culture. See if you can spot the outfits inspired by Dr Who, Star Wars, Black Mirror and The Handmaid’s Tale. You might also spot that the Queen of Night’s dress is decorated with feathers. The designer was inspired to add them by the fact the Queen loathes birds, hence employing a bird-catcher. Why? For the simple reason they sing at daybreak just as her power begins to weaken.
Katie Sharpe as Second Lady, Egor Zhuravskii as Tamino, Hazel Croft as Third Lady and Charlie Drummond as First Lady © Tristram Kenton
5. An Affordable Treat
A night at the opera costs far less than you might think. If you’re a full-time student or Under 30, tickets are just £10 (or completely free of charge for opera-goers in Leeds aged 16-20). Coming to the opera for the first time? Try it ON gives you the chance to book two great seats in the auditorium for just £20 each.
The other good news is you can wear what you like as there’s no dress code. There’s also no need to worry about not understanding what’s taking place on stage, as The Magic Flute is performed in English and has English subtitles. As James Brining concludes: “This opera is crazy! It’s got everything: a bit of panto, beautiful music, romance and also horror. Come along and join us – we promise it’s an evening you won’t forget.”
Three Boys Hector Wainman, Isabelle Baglio and Isla Jones with Claire Lees as Pamina © Tristram Kenton
The Magic Flute opens at Leeds Grand Theatre on Friday 27 September. Following its run in Leeds, the production tours with A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Ruddigore to Newcastle Theatre Royal, The Lowry in Salford and the Theatre Royal in Nottingham.
