The Magic Flute by Mozart, C 21 nov 2024, No (2024/2025), Režisēja August Everding, Diriģents Eva Ollikainen, Giuseppe Mentuccia, Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, Germany

It is one of the classics in the State Opera's repertoire: August Everding's production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Magic Flute". What makes it unique is the reconstruction of the decorations by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, which were created in 1816 for the then Court Opera Unter den Linden - including the famous starry sky of the Queen of the Night, an icon of stage design that fascinates audiences then and now. However, director Everding was far from being interested in museum-like settings: he brought the world of the stage to life based on the now 200-year-old designs with a timeless, spirited production that premiered at the State Opera in 1994, but has lost none of its esprit and wit to this day. Prince Tamino is saved from a giant snake at the last second by the three ladies of the Queen of the Night. They show him a picture of the Queen's daughter, Pamina, with whom he immediately falls in love. Together with the eccentric bird catcher Papageno, he sets off on a journey to find his love, who - as he learns - is in the clutches of the sun priest Sarastro. In order to win the women of their hearts, however, Tamino and Papageno must undergo difficult tests. Everding's production enriches the State Opera's repertoire together with the new production of Yuval Sharon's "Magic Flute": two productions of the same work invite you to view it from different perspectives in direct comparison.