Insights into Mozart’s Magic Flute (The Royal Opera)

Join the cast of David McVicar’s Royal Opera production as they explore one of the best-loved operas of all time. Find out more at The first Insights event of the 2016/17 Season will feature conductor Julia Jones exploring one of Mozart’s most memorable scores, as well as insights from the cast including Siobhan Stagg (Pamina), Mauro Peter (Tamina) and Sabine Devielhe (the Queen of the Night). It will be presented by Roderick Williams, who will sing the role of Papageno in the upcoming run. As well as being a comedy, The Magic Flute is an expression of its composer’s profound spiritual beliefs with the search for wisdom and virtue are at its heart. The Magic Flute was an instant success with audiences and Mozart’s supposed rival Salieri described it as an ‘operone’ – a great opera. Two centuries later, it continues to be one of the most popular of all operas, second only to Verdi’s La traviata in terms of performances staged over the last five years according to Operabase. *** Mozart wrote Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) for a suburban theatre in Vienna, the Theater auf der Wieden. He drew on the magical spectacle and earthy comedy of popular Viennese theatre. As well as being a comedy, The Magic Flute is an expression of Mozart’s profound spiritual beliefs: Enlightenment concerns with the search for wisdom and virtue are at the heart of this enchanting tale. The Magic Flute was an instant success with audiences and Mozart’s supposed rival Salieri described it as an ‘operone’ – a great opera. David McVicar’s classic production embraces both the seriousness and comedy of Mozart’s work. The audience is transported to a fantastical world of dancing animals, flying machines and dazzlingly starry skies. The setting provides a wonderful backdrop for Mozart’s kaleidoscopic score, from the Queen of the Night’s coloratura fireworks to Tamino and Pamina’s lyrical love duets and Papageno’s hearty, folksong-like arias.