Leeds Grand Theatre – On Tour until 2025
Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood
4****
Opera North’s new Season is underway with its first performance of The Magic Flute at the Leeds Grand Theatre. Mozart’s The Magic Flute is based on Emanuel Schikaneder’s libretto. It first premiered in 1791 in Vienna. The Magic Flute is about one exploring one’s way in the world amid challenges and tests.
The story is about Tamino (Egor Zhuravskii), a lost prince, who escapes danger by being saved by three mysterious ladies (Charlie Drummond, Katie Sharpe and Hazel Croft). The ladies inform Tamino about Pamina (Claire Lees) who he falls in love with. The Queen (Anna Dennis) herself tells Tamino that Pamina been captured by Sarastro (Msimelelo Mbali) and is held captive in his authoritative kingdom and asks Tamino to rescue and return her. Tamino is then compelled to rescue Pamina with support of the magic flute and magic bells, gifted to him, and assistance from Papageno (Pasquale Orchard), the bird catcher.
The Magic Flute is diversely unique, It is known as a singspiel, sung play in English, with spoken dialogue as well as the singing. It’s a popular opera known for its varying melodies and arias which showcases Mozart’s ingenuity, conducted by Christoph Koncz. This contemporary production specifically emphasises on the visuals and projections on stage that drives the narrative and characters to the changing fantastical realms in which the plot is set to. The staging certainly captivates the ambience, and the moods of themes depicted in this opera. This all done effectively by Colin Richmond, Chris Davey and Douglas O’Connell.
Under the direction of James Brining and the choreography of Tim Claydon, the cast excellently delivers and thoroughly portrays the characters. In particular, Zhuravskii as Tomino, Jones as the entertaining and charismatic Papageno and Mbali as the authoritative Sarastro The stood out and memorable aria must be Anna Dennis’ Queen of the Night aria in Act II, a pivotal moment, which leads to fateful developments in the story.
This production of The Magic Flute is contemporary with touches of symbolism and humanity set on overcoming evil and how humanity will prevail. Very parallel to the world today and how this resonates in many situations. The production is well delivered and will be part of this season’s repertoire.