The Metropolitan Opera’s The Magic Flute returns to select movie theaters during the holiday season. This abridged, English-language version of Mozart’s enchanting fairy tale features a dazzling production by Tony Award–winner Julie Taymor. The exceptional cast features some of operas favorite stars, including Matthew Polenzani, Nathan Gunn, and René Pape.
“Ms. Taymor’s fanciful sets, costumes and puppets won raves … Like most fairy tales The Magic Flute is a mysterious story of good and evil. Naturally, Ms. Taymor’s production makes the opera’s monsters quite charming, like the puppet bears who are enchanted by Tamino’s magic flute. The cast was excellent … The Papageno, Nathan Gunn, exuded charm and cavorted about the stage like an acrobat. The stupendous bass René Pape was Sarastro. A lovely, clearvoiced lyric soprano, Ying Huang, in her debut role at the Met, was an alluring Pamina. Matthew Polenzani brought his sweet tenor voice and wholesome appeal to Prince Tamino.” — New York Times
