The eternal struggle between sunlight and darkness, between day and night - how utterly appropriate for this time of year...
And so it was that, with great anticipation, Hils, History Boy, Madam Arcati and I swished into the opulent grandeur of The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden for its latest revival of Sir David McVicar's classic [first staged in 2003] production of The Magic Flute [or, more properly, as it's sung in its native German, Die Zauberflote] (in its last weekend before it closes on Monday).
Mozart's last opera before his untimely death aged just 35, he deliberately chose to do it in Singspiel style - basically a "fairy tale" with spoken, as well as sung segments - with a bit of comedy, a bit of panto villainy, a smattering of satire, and a nod to his interest in secret societies thrown in.
As a sum of its parts, however, it's a work of genius...
"[It makes a] special claim on one's affections, because its libretto is high camp. It's a peerlessly silly masterpiece: sublimely lucid music arising out of a parodistic fairy tale that celebrates in all seriousness the exalted brotherhood of the Freemasons." - Pauline Kael
Speaking of camp, there are a couple of rather wonderful highlights amongst the beautifully-sung "heroic prince gets quest (with the "magic flute" of the title) to rescue beloved princess, prince loses princess, prince has to pass several trials, prince gets princess back, sunshine triumphs, everyone lives happily ever after except the villainess" plot - not least the comic sidekick Papageno's joy at the end of all the trials and tribulations to finally get his ideal (and similarly-named) girl [here in rehearsal (NB Huw played the role last night, but Stephanie Edwards played "Papagena")]:
Of course, there is one spine-chilling moment that everyone's waiting for in this particular opera - and that's when the nastiest-of-nasty queens really shows what she's all about...
[Annie Fassea played the role last night - and was wonderful - but there's sadly no footage of her in the role, so this is the classic rendition - lyrics explained here]:
Special mention must go the "star-crossed lovers" around whom the story revolves, Mingjie Lei as "Prince Tamino" and [the particularly good] Chelsea Zurflüh as "Princess Pamina", and to the much-maligned high priest "Sarastro", sung with booming magnificence by Timo Riihonen, as well as the camp-as-old tits "Three Ladies" Hannah Edmunds, Ellen Pearson and Emma Carrington.
Operas of this magnitude - this one's three hours' duration (with a 20-minute break) - are not for the faint-hearted or the weak-bladdered, however this production was so engaging and so brilliantly done, time passed really quickly. It really was a superb evening!
OH! How I'd have loved to see that! Thank you for your write-up,Jon.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Dinah - it was brilliant! Jx
DeleteHello Jon,
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have experienced this production at the Royal Opera House. Clearly the singing and staging was of the highest standard and it is after an evening such as this that one really appreciates the professionalism of performers at the top of their game.
At the Opera House in Budapest, the staging has to compensate for singers who are rarely in the first division. And, on many occasions, it works. However, just once in a while we yearn to see a world-class production at Covent Garden or Glyndebourne. Lucky lucky you!
"World-class" is a subjective term, but I know what you mean. I guess Budapest suffers when its greater talents disperse elsewhere rather than stay at home - however, there happens to be a production of Die Zauberflote coming up at the Hungarian State Opera coming up on 22nd November, so I hope you can get tickets for it, and let us know your thoughts... Jx
DeleteThank you for the reminder.
DeleteSzívesen! Jx
DeleteI told you before it's one of my favorites! The whole thing, but the Der Holle, Rache, Queen of the night aria has to be the best part... and for me, one of the best in opera.
ReplyDeleteGlad you all had such a nice evening.
Hört, Rachegötter,
DeleteHört der Mutter Schwur!
She's such a fabulous bitch!
It is indeed a wonderful opera, and we loved it. Jx
Incredible. I would have loved to have seen that.
ReplyDeleteYou would have loved it! Jx
DeleteI don't really know the story of The Magic Flute (never mind actually seen it), but I certainly recognise the "Queen of the Night aria" (and one or two of the other pieces) and would love to experience it following your enthusiastic review.
ReplyDeleteThe cinema here sometimes screens operas and musicals from 'that London' (and other places outside the depths of Norfolk), so I've just checked to see if it's on - it is, but not until April next year!
It is worth the wait! Jx
DeleteIt was Wunderbar indeed. I enjoyed every moment immensely and being in Royal Opera House made it über fabelhaft.
ReplyDeleteIt was so thrilling to be there - and the production was indeed hervorragend!! Jx
DeleteThat's a very succinct summation of a splendid evening; this opera has had a special place in my heart since I was at school. It is a wonderful synthesis of the sublime and silly which your selection of pieces demonstrated admirably! Thanks so much for the tickets, this was an incredibly kind gift from yourself and Madam Arcarti, big hugs to you both!
ReplyDeleteYou are more than welcome, dear boy - it was a treat for us all! Jx
DeleteA wonderful evening indeed gents - Huw Montague Rendall as Papageno was brilliant, thanks again for such a lovely treat:)
ReplyDeletePapageno is, perhaps, the unlikely star of the show - and Huw was perfect in the part! Jx
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