Mozart's Magic Flute
Robert Bar-chaim | Israel | 03/26/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Magic Flute by Mozart must be one of the most difficult operas to stage because its story line is so uneven and in places contradictory; Why is the Queen of the Night in the beginning the poor victim of a dictatorial priest and later a villain? it is a contradiction that to my knowledge nobody has yet solved. There are other problems; for example the entrance of Tamino, usually he rushes onto the stage crying for help and faints. This creates right from the start an impression that he is a weakling, not a hero. In this production of Opera Australia as he enters the stage he turns back and shoots off his last arrow a simple wordless gesture that makes his cry for help much more plausible. Nonetheless to me it is always Pamina who is the real heroin, as also in this production. The other hero in this piece - as far as I am concerned - is Papageno. I know he is supposed to be a comic charachter (which he is) but underneath all that he is down to earth and makes no bones about that:it is Papageno who finds Pamina not Tamino.This production negotiates most of the difficulties with aplomb.
The singers are all very professional, though I must admit the Queen gave me a few uneasy moments. The three boys are excellent and so boyish that one wonders if that is due to the direction or just them. Sarastro is a little unconvincing at times. Pamina is a joy; excellent singing and a convincing heroin. After all it is she who leads Tamino through fire and water though in this production it would seem to be Tamino, but listen to the text: it is her alright!
I was sorry it was in English - I always prefer the original language - but I must say the translator did a very good job, taking full advantage of the linguistic similarities between German and English. Nor was there any producer's mucking around with the original text (Which these days is but too common!).
I found the orchestral part a little lifeless but am not sure whether this was due to recording, my loudspeakers or the actual playing, so that I give them the benefit of the doubt, especially as Richard Bonynge is conducting.
All in all a most enjoyable production, after all it is easy to punch holes into almost any performance. A DVD I am happy to have on my shelves"
The magic flute
Helene D. Christ | New-York | 03/13/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The music of Mozart is so easy to listen to, that even not musically talented people can enjoy it. many reviewers over the centuries analyzed the libretto and read many hidden meanings into it. Schikaneder, the actor who wrote the libretto never would have been known, were it not for Mozarts music. The magic flute is so much fantasy and so colorful, that all opera-houses compete to bring something different to their production. With DVDs you can watch performances from all over the world. This one is neither imaginative, nor colorful, which is disappointing to me. Therefore I give it just 3 stars."