01/04/14 – Magic Flute – 1:00pm

Metropolitan Opera

The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder

Sung in English

Approximate running time 1 hrs. 40 min.

Julie Taymor’s fanciful production—complete with dancing bears and giant flamingos—is sung in English and runs a brisk 100 minutes in this abridged holiday version for families. The winning cast includes Alek Shrader as Tamino, Eric Owens as Sarastro, and Nathan Gunn as the winsome Papageno.

“Ms. Taymor’s fanciful production and a winning cast delighted the audience, judging by the frequent laughter of the many children in attendance. But Ms. Glover’s appearance, and the magisterial performance and nuance she drew from the orchestra, were the news here… Ms. Glover conveyed the music’s whimsy and humor, but also its richness and mystery.” (New York Times)

“Nathan Gunn has made his thoroughly affable Papageno something of a specialty… His comic timing was spot-on…” He sings with a “smooth, resonant voice, which was in top form…” (Classical Review)

“The tenor Alek Shrader brings a sweet, clear voice and earnestness to Prince Tamino. The lovely lyric soprano Heidi Stober is an endearing Pamina.” Eric Owens “brings gravity and elegance, as well as impeccable diction, to Sarastro. The coloratura soprano Albina Shagimuratova is a technically flawless, luscious-toned and chilling Queen of the Night.” (New York Times)

 

Cast/Crew