The Metropolitan Opera's production of "The Magic Flute" has been brought to life through the Live in HD series. This innovative series allows opera enthusiasts to watch the performances from the comfort of their local movie theaters. "The Magic Flute" is one of Mozart's most beloved and enchanting operas, and the Met's production adds a modern and visual flair to the timeless story. The Live in HD series offers a unique opportunity for audiences to experience the magic of opera up close and personal. The high-definition broadcast brings the intricate sets, exquisite costumes, and stunning performances to life on the big screen. It provides an immersive experience that captures the essence of a live opera performance.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte)
Composer Wolfgang Amadeaus Mozart Artists Ying Huang, Nathan Gunn, Matthew Polenzani, Erika Miklosa, René Pape, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra Chorus Conductor James Levine Director Julie Taymor Format NTSC Language English Subtitles English Region All Regions Number of Discs 1 Studio Naxos DVD Release Date August 16, 2011 Run Time 112 minutes. The cast of leading Mozarteans includes soprano Christiane Karg as Pamina, tenor Stanislas de Barbeyrac as Tamino, baritone Thomas Oliemans in his Met debut as Papageno, soprano Kathryn Lewek as the Queen of the Night, and bass Stephen Milling as Sarastro.
It provides an immersive experience that captures the essence of a live opera performance. "The Magic Flute" itself is a fantastical tale that explores themes of love, redemption, and the challenges of the human condition. The story follows Prince Tamino as he embarks on a perilous journey to rescue Pamina, the daughter of the Queen of the Night.
Fathom Events and The Metropolitan Opera's 2022-23 Live in HD season concludes with live transmission of Mozart's "Die Zauberflöte" ("The Magic Flute") to cinemas nationwide on Saturday, June 3, 12:55PM ET
Simon McBurney's new interactive production stars Erin Morley , Lawrence Brownlee , Thomas Oliemans , Stephen Milling , and Kathryn Lewek—who will sing the role of Queen of the Night for a record-breaking 50th time at the Met
The fantastical interpretation features the Met Orchestra in a raised pit, as well as the creative works of visual/video artist Blake Habermann and Foley artist Ruth Sullivan
DENVER , June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fathom Event presents a live transmission of The Metropolitan Opera's Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), one of Mozart's most beloved operas, on Saturday, June 3 , at 12:55PM ET . This critically acclaimed production, marking the Met's first new staging of the work in 19 years, is by renowned English actor and director Simon McBurney in his first collaboration with the company. McBurney's "dazzling new production gets metatheatrical" (Financial Times), taking an inventive approach to Mozart's operatic fable with a magical display of theatrical improvisation including live projections by visual/video artist Blake Habermann and live sound effects from Foley artist Ruth Sullivan , as well as aerial stunts, physical comedy, and acrobatics.
Fathom Events will also present encores of Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) on Wednesday, June 7 , at 1:00PM and 6:30PM , local time.
Tickets for Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) are on sale through the Fathom Events website and participating theater box offices. For a complete list of theater locations, visit fathomevents.com (participating theaters are subject to change).
Maestro Nathalie Stutzmann , following her Live in HD debut with Mozart's Don Giovanni earlier this month, will lead a brilliant cast that includes soprano Erin Morley as Pamina, returning after a highly praised performance in Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier; soprano Kathryn Lewek in her record-breaking 50th performance of the Queen of the Night at the Met; tenor Lawrence Brownlee as Tamino; tenor Brenton Ryan as Monostatos; baritone Thomas Oliemans in his Met debut as Papageno; bass Harold Wilson as the Speaker; and bass Stephen Milling as Sarastro. The Met Orchestra will also take centerstage, playing from a raised pit, with flutist Seth Morris and assistant conductor Bryan Wagorn making special onstage appearances with the singers.
The creative team includes set designer Michael Levine , costume designer Nicky Gillibrand —in her Met debut—lighting designer Jean Kalman , projection designer Finn Ross , sound designer Gareth Fry , and associate director Rachael Hewer —the last two also in their Met debuts.
Gary Halvorson will direct the Live in HD presentation for cinemas, and tenor Ben Bliss will host the transmission, sharing exclusive behind-the-scenes content and interviews during the intermission. Bliss recently starred as Don Ottavio in the Met's transmission of Don Giovanni .
PRESS QUOTES
"Five stars for Die Zauberflöte… Equal parts dazzling, grounded, and laugh-out-loud funny. In director Simon McBurney's Met debut, Mozart's opera receives clever twists, along with first-rate singing … An excellent cast … Fun, wonderment and humanity." —Financial Times
"A realm of clever feints, a place where everything is both highly imaginative and endearingly simple—and where seeing the trick only enhances the magic … Zesty, full-toned sound from the orchestra … the audience was giddy." —The New York Times
"Captures the anything-can-happen shimmer that defines live theater … visual thrills and technical prowess … Staggering, death-defying images … The supple-voiced and sympathetic Erin Morley , as Pamina, captures beautifully a young woman torn … Lawrence Brownlee , as Tamino, is in fine voice … Thomas Oliemans makes for a charming Papageno … Finally, there was the star-blazing queen herself, soprano Kathryn Lewek , who could probably sing the Queen of the Night in her sleep … The Met's Die Zauberflöte is music made magic." —Observer
"An unusually nuanced yet still playful rendition of the fairy tale … An onstage world that includes the audience by inviting it behind the scenes … Morley's exquisitely pure soprano bloomed . humanizes Mozart's fantasy . theatrical and spirited." —The Wall Street Journal
THE STARS OF DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE
Nathalie Stutzmann , Conductor; Suresnes, France
Erin Morley , Pamina; Salt Lake City, Utah
Kathryn Lewek , Queen of the Night; East Lyme, Connecticut
Lawrence Brownlee , Tamino; Youngstown, Ohio
Brenton Ryan , Monostatos; Sedalia, Missouri
Thomas Oliemans , Papageno; Amsterdam, Netherlands
Harold Wilson , Speaker; Charlotte, North Carolina
Stephen Milling , Sarastro; Copenhagen , Denmark
Photo Gallery
Password: MetOpera2020
This production runs: Saturday, Jan 16
Along the way, Tamino encounters an array of colorful characters, including the comedic bird catcher Papageno, who provides much-needed humor and relief. The Met's production of "The Magic Flute" is known for its stunning visuals and imaginative staging. The set design transports the audience to a magical world filled with towering structures, moving platforms, and fantastical creatures. The costumes are equally mesmerizing, with intricate details and vibrant colors that bring the characters to life. In addition to the visual spectacle, the Met's production also showcases the remarkable talent of the opera singers. The roles of Tamino, Pamina, and Papageno are notoriously challenging, requiring singers with extraordinary vocal range and agility. The cast of "The Magic Flute" delivers powerful and emotive performances, breathing life into Mozart's iconic music. The Live in HD broadcast of "The Magic Flute" not only offers a cinematic experience but also provides behind-the-scenes insights. The intermission segments feature interviews with the cast and crew, as well as a glimpse into the intricate workings of the Met's production. These segments add depth and context to the opera, enhancing the audience's overall understanding and enjoyment. Overall, the combination of the Met Opera's production, Mozart's beautiful music, and the Live in HD series creates a truly enchanting experience. Whether one is a dedicated opera fan or a newcomer to the genre, "The Magic Flute" in Live in HD is a captivating journey into the world of opera. It offers a unique and accessible way to appreciate one of Mozart's most celebrated works and witness the transformative power of live performance..
Reviews for "Experience the Wonder of Mozart's Magic Flute with the Met Opera's Live HD Broadcast"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to watching "Met opera magic flute live in HD" as I had heard great things about it. However, I was quite disappointed with the whole experience. The production felt dull and lackluster, and the performances were not up to par with what I expected from the Metropolitan Opera. The storyline was confusing and hard to follow, and I found myself losing interest halfway through the show. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this particular production to opera enthusiasts.
2. Jane - 2 stars - As a fan of opera, I was excited to watch "Met opera magic flute live in HD," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The set designs and costumes were dull and uninspiring, failing to transport me into the magical world of Mozart's opera. The cast's vocal performances were average at best, lacking the depth and emotion that are essential to truly bring the music to life. Additionally, the pacing of the production felt sluggish, and the whole experience left me feeling underwhelmed. I would suggest exploring other productions of "The Magic Flute" before settling for this one.
3. Mark - 1 star - I found "Met opera magic flute live in HD" to be an absolute disappointment. The production was a complete mess, with chaotic staging and disjointed scenes that made it hard to connect with the story. The performances were lackluster and did not do justice to the beautiful music of Mozart. The whole experience felt like a waste of time, and I regret spending money on a ticket for this highly anticipated production. I would advise opera lovers to steer clear of this particular version and seek out a better rendition of "The Magic Flute" elsewhere.
4. Lisa - 2 stars - While I am usually a fan of opera broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera, "Met opera magic flute live in HD" left me unimpressed. The production's concept seemed forced and didn't add anything significant to the story. Furthermore, the singing performances lacked the passion and intensity that are crucial for a successful rendition of Mozart's music. Overall, the production felt uninspired and failed to capture the magic and charm of "The Magic Flute." I would recommend exploring alternative productions or even attending a live performance instead.