The Magic Flute

Great Opera in two acts (1791) Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Text by Emanuel Schikaneder It is one of the classics in the repertoire of the Staatsoper: August Everdings Production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozarts The Magic Flute. Unique is the reconstruction of the 1816 decorations for the then Hofoper Unter den Linden, designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel – including the famous starry sky of the Queen of the Night, an icon of stage design that fascinates audiences then and now. Regarding museum-like aspects, the director Everding was far: The stage world according to now more than 200 year old designs came alive through a timeless, passionate production, which premiered at the Staatsoper in 1994, but until today has not lost any of its spirit and wit. In mythical times, a king and a queen ruled over a realm of day and night. Their daughter was Pamina. When the king died, he did not pass on his power, symbolized by the powerful sun circle, to the queen, but to the Order of the Initiated and their leader Sarastro. With this, the realm of light and shadow was separated. The wife of the deceased king however tried to regain her lost rule as Queen of the Night. To free Pamina from the negative influence of her mother, Sarastro has her kidnapped. The young Prince Tamino is lured into the domain of the Queen of the Night during a hunt and threatened by a monster. In highest fear of death, he loses consciousness. Three Ladies of the Queen of the Night argue over the unconscious youth. The bird-catcher Papageno clarifies to the awakened Prince where he is. In the service of the Queen, the three Ladies give Tamino a picture of the Princess Pamina, into which he falls instantly in love. The Queen tries to use this love to regain control over Pamina and with her the powerful sun circle of Sarastro. Tamino is determined to rescue Pamina from Sarastros power. Papageno is assigned as his companion. Both are equipped with magical instruments, a flute and a glockenspiel. Three Boys should guide them on their way as good spirits. Meanwhile, Pamina tries to escape Sarastros domain because the overseer of slaves Monostatos wants to harm her. But Papageno, whom she encounters during her search, tells Pamina about Taminos love. They flee together. Tamino begins to doubt Sarastros evil intentions at a meeting with the Speaker of the Initiated at the temple gate. In his confusion, he turns to the invisible higher powers and learns for the first time the magic power of his flute. Paminas and Papagenos escape is thwarted by Sars arrival. But Pamina decides to tell Sarastro the truth. She and Tamino meet. Sarastro determines, Tamino and Papageno should be brought to the trial temple. Pamina remains excluded as a woman.