Review: The Magic Flute, Leeds Grand Theatre, Friday, September 27

A revival of Opera North’s 2019 production of Mozart’s final operatic masterpiece is just the ticket to launch the company’s Autumn Season, at Leeds Grand Theatre and on tour.

The new season promises to take regular opera goers and younger newcomers to mysterious and enchanting places. James Brining’s production contains all the mystical lighting effects, sumptuous costumes and picture book settings needed to delight the whole family. Shape-shifting scenery using the full depth of the Grand Theatre’s stage transports the audience from enchanted forests into splendid halls crowned by glittering chandeliers.

There is of course a gallery of fantastical characters engaged in a supernatural conflict between good and evil. The forces for good are headed by the handsome Prince Tamino, sung with honeyed tone by the tenor Egor Zhuravskii. Opera North Chorus soprano Claire Lees shines as Pamina whom Tamino has fallen for. He vows to rescue Pamina from a religious cult led by Sarastro, sung by the bass Msimelelo Mbali.

Papageno the Bird Catcher who inevitably emerges as the strongest character, is portrayed by the mellifluous baritone Emyr Wyn Jones. The Wicked Queen of the Night is interpreted by Anna Dennis whose fearsome vocal fireworks are peppered with stratospheric high Fs (F6). Her robes are made from dead song birds lured into traps by the seductive sounds of Papageno’s magic flute. The Queen is assisted by her Three Ladies; sung by Charlie Drummond, Katie Sharpe and Hazel Croft. The trio are dressed like 1st World War nurses in terrifying headwear and blood streaked tunics.

The Magic Flute is arguably Mozart’s most accessible opera and was astonishingly composed during the May and June of 1791 - just six months before his untimely death at just 35 years of age. The richly varied musical score ranges from noble chorales to folksy songs and coloratura pyrotechnics. Opera North’s meticulously drilled cast projection of the English translation is crystal clear. The Chorus and Orchestra are on cracking form, conducted by Christoph Koncz in his Opera North debut.

Performances at Leeds Grand Theatre on Saturday, October 5th at 2.30pm and Friday, October 11th at 7pm.