The Florida Grand Opera’s staging of The Magic Flute is a truly astonishing update on the classic Mozart opera. The FGO and director Jeffery Marc Buchman have gone beyond the usual expectations for this lavish fantasy of an opera, and have rooted it in reality by framing with dream sequences of an actual, contemporary child. This is a fairly immersive experience that will, at times, have you doubting that this was live and on the theater stage. The sets and effects frequently deliver such a surreal, other-worldly quality.

Opening night brought us a cast that performed with great emotion and gusto, and the many moods of the story and the characters were rendered with energy and poignancy, as well as humor. Among the standouts were Sara Kennedy as the darling Pamina, Alex DeSocio as Papageno, at turns quite humorous and at others forlorn, and Laura Léon gave a fiery performance of the beloved “Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen” It is a challenging but thrilling song, especially live. Sarastro, sung by Andrew W. Potter nailed his deepest, rumbling notes. The highest and lowest notes sung on opening night were pure professionalism.

The Magic Flute is a well-loved opera classic that premiered in 1791. It was Mozart’s final opera and it is still humbling to realize that he was just 35 when he wrote this. (And his 257th birthday anniversary just passed.) A romance mixed with dramatic tension, humorous touches (at times a bit strange, admittedly) and a mythological setting, it is a fairy tale come to life. There are shortened versions and a version in English, but FGO offers us the full, German-language version that is most rewarding.

This production of The Magic Flute was more than thrilling vocals; the sets, effects and costumes were next-level entertainment, though they did not overshadow the performers but rather enhanced them greatly. For example, the swirls of colorful fire and fearsome creatures that accompanied the Queen were almost unbelievable, and the set with the rotating shapes were a bit shocking, with wow-factor.

Even the “minor moments” had great charm. When the animals reacted and danced to Tamino’s flute playing, everyone enjoyed watching this adorable ensemble.(Those animal costumes were adorable.) The Boy Spirits were quite darling. Let us not forget to acknowledge the orchestra, which performs this well-known ensemble just right. They helped usher in the happy ending of the opera with aplomb.

It is also thoughtful and encouraging that the FGO is offering inexpensive seats to entice younger audiences and those who are curious but don’t want to pay high prices. Once again the Company has invited students to explore the opera, and often it’s their very first experience of the art form.

THIS is how we continue the love for opera across generations, and it is to be commended highly.

– Ellen Levitt, S&P.

This version has been edited to reflect the correct casting notes for the 2024 performance. A previous version included outdated casting notes. 

Be sure to reserve your tickets for the Ft. Lauderdale performances. You will be transported with the FGO to a place you’ll forever relish.

Die Zauberflöte, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Opera in two acts
Libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder
First performed: 1891, Theater auf der Wieden, Vienna
Last performed at FGO in 2013
Sung in German with English dialogue
English and Spanish projected translations

MIAMI
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
of Miami-Dade County / Ziff Ballet Opera House

Nov 16, 2024 at 7:00 pm
Nov 17, 2024 at 2:00 pm
Nov 19, 2024 at 8:00 pm

FORT LAUDERDALE
Broward Center for the Performing Arts / Au-Rene Theater

Dec 5, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Dec 7, 2024 at 7:30 pm