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The magic flute
Opéra Bastille - from 17 September to 19 November 2022
The magic flute
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Opéra Bastille - from 17 September to 19 November 2022
3h05 with 1 interval
Language : German
Surtitle : French / English
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Opening night : 17 Sept 2022
About
In few words:
In Die Zauberflöte, a prince from a far‑off land on a quest to liberate a princess meets a giant snake, a cocky bird‑seller, the Queen of the Night and a High Priest who imposes strange rites of passage. How does one approach Mozart’s last opera, first performed in Vienna in 1791, two months before the composer's death? As a fantastical tale for children, as the reflection of the masonic allegiance of Mozart and his librettist Schikaneder, or as an ardent meditation on human existence? The director Robert Carsen attempts to go beyond the libretto's simplistic opposition of good and evil, represented by Sarastro and the Queen of the Night, suggesting that each of them guides the young Tamino and Pamina on the path to wisdom. An optimistic reading that does not exclude the idea of death, described by Mozart in a letter to his father as “our best friend”.
CHARACTERS
Tamino: In love with Pamina.
Papageno: Bird-catcher in the service of the Queen of the Night.
Sarastro: High Priest in the Temple of Wisdom.
La Reine de la Nuit: Pamina’s mother.
Pamina: The Queen of the Night’s daughter.
Monostatos: Sarastro’s servant.
Papagena: Promised to Papageno.
Les trois Dames: In the service of the Queen of the Night
- Opening
- First part 70 mn
- Intermission 30 mn
- Second part 85 mn
- End
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Die Zauberflöte
Opera in two acts (1791)
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Performances
Book your tickets today with the Season Pass
Available in audiodescription
Advantages
Full
Book your tickets today with the Season Pass
Available in audiodescription
Advantages
Full
Gallery
Videos clips
Audio clips
La Flûte enchantée (saison 22/23) - Mauro Peter (Wie Stark Ist Nicht Dein Zauberton)
La Flûte enchantée (saison 22/23) - Ouverture
La Flûte enchantée (saison 22/23) - Huw Montague Rendall (Ein Madchen Oder Weibchen)
La Flûte enchantée (saison 22/23) - Chœur (O Isis Und Osiris)
Backstage
© Elena Bauer / OnP
Article
Fire in The Magic Flute
A production remembered
04’
In his production of The Magic Flute, first performed at the Paris Opera in 2014, Robert Carsen uses the seasons as a metaphor to develop the characters of this initiatory tale. He also works with the elements: as a result, the “Trial by Fire” which occurs at the beginning of Act II, takes on a particularly striking aspect. Alexis Mazaloubaud, responsible for special effects and pyrotechnics at the Opéra Bastille, talks about the conception of that scene.
The first time I worked on fire effects for Robert Carsen, it was in 2001 for the production of Antonín Dvořák’s Rusalka: an immense flame six metres high and ten metres wide, with a soloist nearby, it was incredible! But the request he made to us almost fifteen years later for The Magic Flute represented another major challenge: we had to put in place two fire ramps measuring 13 and 15 metres for scarcely 90 seconds, which the two characters Pamina and Tamino could cross.
It is not customary for us to work on such large surfaces. Usually, we deal with smaller combustible elements, such as candles and torches. In this case, though, it took a considerable amount of time to find a suitable method. In the end, we designed ramps resembling metal pipes that had been cut lengthwise. We then placed a series of wicks impregnated with a flammable product inside them. These were then lit with a lighter located on either side of the ramps and ultimately extinguished by a mechanical suppression system.
We realised right away that it would be impossible for the singers to cross the flames in bare feet. So we came up with a specific solution: igniting the fire in two stages. First, on the wide lateral sections. Then, the central parts would burst into flames once the singers had crossed them, after moving from downstage to upstage. The two singers then would turn to face the audience from behind the two burning ramps.
To set this impressive effect in motion, four technicians were positioned on the sides and two under the stage of the central section in order to ignite and mechanically extinguish the two ramps. In reality, the rain which comes down at the end of the scene plays no part in extinguishing the flames! Incidentally, at Robert Carsen’s request, that rain is actually comprised of tiny glass beads.Of course, safety is our top priority. There are always trained firefighters present in the wings. The numerous Chorus-members, wrapped in white sheets, are positioned close to the fire so they must keep at least one metre away from the flames. Even so, when they rise to step over the extinguished ramps a few small flames can sometimes remain which can be unnerving for them. When that happens, technicians in costume can come on stage with smothering cloths and be barely distinguishable from the other characters!
I returned to this production with a great deal
of enthusiasm. Since I am in charge of special effects, I also get to use
water, smoke and wind. With these four elements there is an infinite number of
possibilities. This season, for The Snow
Maiden for example, I will have to work on a number of large wooden fires
positioned around the stage. As for Carmen,
I will be ensuring that the Spanish flag truly flies…
Interviewed by Juliette Puaux
© plainpicture / Tilby Vattard
Podcast
Opera word for word – Die Zauberflöte
Literary podcast evoking an opera and a stage director’s vision
09:51’
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte in Robert Carsen's production, in the words of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ismail Kadaré et Friedrich Nietzsche
Copyright :
- Mozart, Correspondance complète, Flammarion, 2011
- Ismaïl Kadaré, Avril brisé, Fayard, 1982
- Friedrich Nietzsche, Ainsi parlait Zarathoustra, (Traduit de l’allemand par Geneviève Bianquis), GF-Flammarion, 2006
01:20’
Video
Draw-me The magic flute
Understand the plot in 1 minute
Mozart’s last opera can be seen as a marvellous tale for children or as an ardent meditation on human existence. A prince from a far-off land on a quest to find a slightly suicidal princess encounters a giant snake and a swaggering bird catcher, the Queen of the Night and a mysterious High Priest imposing strange rites of passage… Drawing inspiration from the words of the composer in a letter to his father, the director Robert Carsen provides an elegant and sober Magic Flute, a dark jewel that conquers Death and makes it “our best friend”, – a source of reassurance and consolation.
01:09’
Video
Imaginarie The Magic Flute
A repertoire work narrated in a visual poem born of popular culture
The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart from january 12 to february 22, 2021 at the Opéra Bastille.
Quiz
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On-site Services
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Cloakrooms
Free cloakrooms are at your disposal. For reasons of safety, the Paris Opera cannot accommodate luggage or travel bags.
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Bars
Bars offering drinks and light refreshments are available in the public areas, 45 minutes before each performance and during intervals.
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Boutiques
A selection of works items are available on our various boutiques: Online store and The Opéra Bastille Shop.
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Last-minute tickets
Special reduced rates for people under the age of 28, unemployed and seniors over 65 are available.
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Parking
You can park your car at the Q-Park Opéra Bastille. It is located at 34 rue de Lyon, 75012 Paris.
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