Friday, 27th September 2024 at Leeds Grand Theatre
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s 1791 opera Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) is a fantastical tale in two acts. With Libretto by Emmanuel Schikaneder but sung here in English according to Jeremy Sams’ interpretation, Opera North’s revival of their 1978 production is wonderfully accessible. Alongside the accessibility of opting for English, this opera takes more of the shape of a modern musical, with spoken dialogue and neatly carved musical numbers alongside the more traditional sung-through elements. All this means that if you know someone looking to dip a toe in opera waters, this production feels pretty welcoming for relative newbies like me.
James Brining directs – with his distinctive eye for high impact visuals, a gentle sense of modernity and clarity of narrative (though it does admittedly overrun). Set and costume from Colin Richmond is gorgeously rich and whimsical, from classic fairytale visuals to comic departures from expectation. And the darkest moments in the fantasy realm are given thrilling depths thanks to Douglas O’Connell’s video designs and the action is underscored with yet more drama by Chris Davey’s atmospheric lighting.
The story itself has familiar fairytale touchstones: forces of good and evil are at work, and there’s a bit of a question mark about the true villains… An entrapped damsel must be saved, a legacy of hatred must be faced and true love wades in as a potent tonic to the ills at work. There are seemingly also nods to other famous tales, like the test of will handed to an infatuated lover holding echoes of Orpheus and Eurydice. The key element here though – fittingly – is the powerful magic of a flute and a set of bells, both of which have the power to halt evil forces.
So, a brilliant company lead us through a winding tale: the lost Prince Tamino (Egor Zhuravskii, with an enveloping, emotive voice perfect for the romantic lover) is saved from peril by The Queen of the Night’s (the fantastic Anna Dennis) henchwomen. He is sent on a quest to retrieve her entrapped daughter Pamina (Claire Lees) who has been stolen away by a spritiual leader – Sarastro (Msimelelo Mbali) – and his cult. Tamino helpfully bumps into folksy bird-catcher Papageno (Emyr Wyn Jones) along the way.
Highlights abound, with the first three entirely musical (naturally): the harmonies sung by the two key trios are breath-takingly beautiful, delivered with power yet apparent ease by the Three Ladies (Charlie Drummond, Katie Sharpe and Hazel Croft) and the Three Boys (a very talented trio of young singers: Isla Jones, Isabelle Baglio and Hector Wainman). The arias of Anna Dennis, Claire Lees and Pasquale Orchard are also stunning in all their vocal variety.
And while the Three Ladies provide some great comedy between soaring harmonies, it’s Emyr Wyn Jones who really lifts the show with Papageno’s sometimes obtuse but always good-natured ways, often giving the story moments of wit and whimsy which are very modern in flavour.
Christoph Koncz conducts the always-fabulous Opera North Orchestra and the music of Mozart feels suddenly the most perfect accompaniment to a fantasy tale of love, peril and ultimate victory. One of my favourite things about embracing opera these days is finally learning the context and meaning of famous classical standards – in this case the hugely impressive aria sung by the Queen of the Night (and with such wonderful force and venom by Anna Dennis). If my mother ever sang me such a song, I’m sure I’d perish on the spot, but that’s opera for you…
While perhaps not quite so impressive as other Opera North offerings, any fan of fantasy, fairytale and phenomenal vocals should find themselves thoroughly entertained by The Magic Flute – and if you know a tentative opera-goer, this show is certainly a very good option!
The Magic Flute is at Leeds Grand Theatre until October 11th 2024, with more dates in February 2025, and tours other venues in the interim – more information and tickets can be found here.
Always Time For Theatre 
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