The Magic Flute - An Early Christmas Present?

Ok, I'm convinced. The part of Papageno in Mozart's opera The Magic Flute should always be sung by a Welshman.

There's something about Emyr Wyn Jones' lovely lilting Welsh accent in Opera North's season-opening production that is just so right. It's a comic role in a strange dark hinterland somewhere between panto and horror, between a story for children and a cautionary tale about child abduction, between spirituality and freemasonry. The Magic Flute is nothing if not bizarre.

Wyn Jones' comedy with a gorgeously lit set, colourful costumes, and some ethereal video effects adds all the pantomime elements our protagonists need for a captivating evening. Set and Costume Designer (Colin Richmond), Lighting Designer (Chris Davey) and Video Designer (Douglas O'Connell) are all to be commended here.

By way of balance, Anna Dennis use her exquisite bell like tones as Queen of the Night to be dangerous, malevolent and downright scary. Her aria, delicately entitled Hell's vengeance boils in my heart, was electrifying. The scene shows the Queen of the Night in a fit of spiteful wrath, thrusting a dagger into her daughter Pamina's hand and threatening to disown and curse her unless she kills Sarastro, the Queen's competitor (he's also Pamina's father). This is one of the most well-known opera arias, a fast-moving, ominously grandiose piece that is memorable for its staccatos in the upper register. Anna Dennis seems to take it all in her stride.

Without even swiping right Pamina (Claire Lees) falls instantly in love with Tamino (Igor Zhuravskii) and the two deploy their ardent feelings and considerable vocal talents to face a series of trials imposed by the seemingly heartless Sarastro (Msimelelo Mali).

Poor Papageno looks like he will be left left loveless, despite his fervent desire to find a wife, but luckily for him he is discretely admired by the always ebullient Papagana, who is played with great animated charm by Pasquale Orchard.

Add into this heady mix a slew of character parts - the less imaginatively named First Lady, Second Lady and Third Lady (Charlie Drummond, Katie Sharpened Hazel Croft) - and a large number of well-schooled children and there's plenty of opportunity to drive a delightful narrative through the strange nightmarish world of The Magic Flute.

It's reassuring to know that the Orchestra of Opera North and the Chorus of Opera North remain on such good form, despite the difficult financial times in which we find ourselves.

The Magic Flute remains as strange a tale as ever, but this production entertains and charms in spades. Surely it has enough elements of pantomime to be considered an early Christmas present?

Highly recommended.

The Magic Flute continues between 27th September 2024 and 29th March 2025 in various venues: Leeds Grand Theatre, Newcastle Theatre Royal, The Lowry, Salford Quays, Theatre Royal, Nottingham, Hull New Theatre. See the Opera North website for details.