ZAUBERFLÖTE, DIE

Simon McBurney’s fantastical interactive production features the Met Orchestra in a raised pit, as well as the creative works of visual/video artist Blake Habermann and Foley artist Ruth Sullivan

One of opera’s most beloved works receives a new staging in the daring vision by renowned English director Simon McBurney that The Wall Street Journal declared “the best production I’ve ever witnessed of Mozart’s opera.” To match the spectacle and drama of Mozart’s fable, McBurney takes an inventive approach with a magical display of theatrical improvisation including live projections by visual/video artist Blake Habermann and live sound effects from Foley artist Ruth Sullivan, as well as aerial stunts, physical comedy, and acrobatics. Nathalie Stutzmann conducts the Met Orchestra, with the pit raised to make the musicians visible to the audience and allow interaction with the cast.

The brilliant cast includes soprano Erin Morley as Pamina; soprano Kathryn Lewek in her record-breaking 50th performance of the Queen of the Night at the Met; tenor Lawrence Brownlee as Tamino; tenor Brenton Ryan as Monostatos; baritone Thomas Oliemans in his Met debut as Papageno; bass Harold Wilson as the Speaker; and bass Stephen Milling as Sarastro. The Met Orchestra also takes centerstage, playing from a raised pit, with flutist Seth Morris and assistant conductor Bryan Wagorn making special onstage appearances with the singers. 

“Five stars for DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE... Equal parts dazzling, grounded, and laugh-out-loud funny... An excellent cast” (Financial Times)

“An unusually nuanced yet still playful rendition of the fairy tale." (The Wall Street Journal)