It is by far the most famous opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and one of the classics in the Staatsoper's repertoire: August Everding's production of The Magic Flute. What makes it unique is the reconstruction of the sets designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel in 1816 for the former court opera house Unter den Linden – including the famous starry sky of the Queen of the Night, an icon of stage design that fascinates audiences today as much as it did back then.
However, director Everding was not interested in creating a museum piece: he brought the stage world based on the now 200-year-old designs to life with a timeless, spirited production that premiered at the State Opera in 1994 and has lost none of its wit and humour to this day.
Prince Tamino is rescued at the last second from a giant snake 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. However, Tamino and Papageno must undergo difficult trials to win the women of their hearts.
approx. 3 hours | including 1 interval
Additional information
Grand opera in two acts (1791)
- Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder
