The Magic Flute by Mozart, Ó (2023/2023), Faoi stiúir August Everding, Seoltóir Sakari Oramo, Olavinlinna Castle, Savonlinna, Finland

Savonlinna Opera Festival’s The Magic Flute celebrates its 50th anniversary. This iconic production has been cherished by generations of opera lovers and performers. So, what’s the secret of this Magic Flute? The Magic Flute is a fairy-tale and a musical play. It’s humorous and heartbreaking, passionate and dramatic, spiritual, playful, unpretentious and sophisticated all at the same time. The rich gallery of characters enables layered interpretations, and the story never loses its appeal. The original direction has been slightly revised for the 50th anniversary performances. It’ll be an exciting reunion. The impressive cast comprises leading Finnish opera talents. The legendary set Toni Businger visited Olavinlinna for the first time during the 1970s, arriving in a rowing boat deep in midwinter. Inspired by the castle setting, he swapped Sarastro’s lions to the black rams of a Savonlinna legend and created a timeless framework for Mozart’s fairy-tale world. He’d been brought to Finland by the bass Martti Talvela, one of Finland’s greatest ever opera stars.