Sitting comfortably in the highest ranks of opera history, Mozart’s The Magic Flute has captivated audiences since its premiere in Vienna on 30 September 1791. A tale of love, devotion and the eventual triumph of light over darkness, based on folklore and now steeped in history, the opera has been performed, toured, and adapted countless times since its inception. Our new production, translated and directed by Daisy Evans takes a fresh approach to Mozart’s final opera, and tours this Spring Season.
Written in the ‘Singspiel’ form that was popular in theatres across Europe, Mozart worked with Emanuel Schikaneder to write The Magic Flute. Containing a multitude of scenes and settings, the opera proved to be a massive success, but unfortunately Mozart wouldn’t get to witness its rise in popularity – he died only two months after the premiere.
In the story, our protagonist, Tamino, is gifted a Magic Flute to keep himself safe, and is joined by Papageno on a quest to rescue Pamina, daughter of the Queen of the Night, from the kingdom of light, the realm of Sarastro. In Sarastro’s palace, his servant Monastatos pursues Pamina until he is frightened away by the appearance of Papageno. Meanwhile, Tamino learns that it is in fact the Queen who is evil, and that Pamina is safe. Tamino plays his flute in the hope that the noise will lead Pamina to him, but is distracted by the sound of Papageno’s pipes and rushes to find him. As Tamino and Papageno enter the temple, Pamina catches a glimpse of the young Prince, and is enchanted by him.
Tamino and Papageno must undergo three tasks - fire, water and silence. Papageno fails to comply with the vow of silence and is eliminated from the tasks. Tamino, however, succeeds in keeping silent, even as Pamina grows upset with him. She despairs at his apparent indifference and is about to commit suicide before she is interrupted by three spirits. She decides to walk with Tamino through the tasks of fire and water, from which they are protected by the magic flute.
While Tamino was completing his trials, Papageno found love with Papagena, but subsequently lost her. In his misery, contemplating suicide, he is saved by the spirits just as Pamina was. They remind him to ring his magical bells, and as he does Papagena comes back to him.
As a mighty battle between Night and Day is about to erupt, Tamino and Pamina call upon the combatants to look within themselves and settle their differences. They leave to begin their own kingdom together.
Our last performance of The Magic Flute was in 2019, and this Spring Season we have a new production, featuring a fresh translation of the libretto, written by director Daisy Evans, that brings the opera up to date. The set design places the kingdoms of Day and Night into the digital era, as puppeteers bring the story to life alongside our artists. You can catch Mozart’s folk-tale of love’s triumph on tour in Cardiff, Llandudno, Milton Keynes, Bristol, Birmingham, Southampton and Plymouth between 5 March and 27 May.