Mozart’s most popular opera is a deeply humane story of adventure with heavenly music.
Opera in two acts
Libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder
Performed in German with German and English surtitles
Premiere
1. November 2020
Dates & Cast
- Conductor Felix Krieger (30. August, 11. October 2025, 24. April 2026), Killian Farrell (05., 10., 13., 19., 28. September, 04. October 2025), Michael Zlabinger (01. November 2025), Katharina Müllner (11., 20. December 2025, 07., 21. June, 04. July 2026), Nicholas Carter (11., 24. January 2026), Giulio Cilona (11. February, 12. April, 02., 07. May 2026)
- Staging Josef E. Köpplinger
- Set Design Walter Vogelweider
- Costume Design Dagmar Morell
- Lighting Design Fabio Antoci
- Choreography Ricarda Regina Ludigkeit
- Choir Jan Hoffmann
- Dramaturgy Johann Casimir Eule
- Sarastro Georg Zeppenfeld (30. August, 19., 28. September, 04., 11. October, 20. December 2025, 11. February, 12. April 2026), Tilmann Rönnebeck (05., 28. September, 04. October, 01. November, 11., 20. December 2025, 11., 24. January 2026), Anthony Robin Schneider (10., 13. September, 01. November 2025, 07., 21. June 2026), Tobias Kehrer (24. April, 02. May, 07., 21. June, 04. July 2026)
- Königin der Nacht Maria Perlt-Gärtner (30. August, 05., 13., 19., 28. September, 04., 11. October, 01. November 2025, 24. April, 07., 21. June, 04. July 2026), N.N. (10., 28. September, 04. October, 11., 20. December 2025), Jasmin Delfs (20. December 2025, 11., 24. January 2026), Alina Wunderlin (11. February, 12. April, 02., 07. May 2026)
- Pamina Tuuli Takala (30. August, 05., 28. September, 04. October 2025, 11., 24. January 2026), Nikola Hillebrand (10., 13., 19. September 2025), N.N. (28. September, 04., 11. October, 01. November 2025, 12., 24. April, 02. May, 07., 21. June, 04. July 2026), Andrea Carroll (11., 20. December 2025), Katharina Konradi (20. December 2025, 11. February, 07. May, 07., 21. June 2026)
- Tamino Mario Lerchenberger (30. August, 05., 10., 13., 28. September, 04. October, 01. November 2025, 24. January, 11. February, 12., 24. April, 07., 21. June, 04. July 2026), Tomislav Mužek (19., 28. September 2025), James Ley (04., 11. October, 11., 20. December 2025, 11. January, 02., 07. May, 21. June 2026), Johan Krogius (01. November, 20. December 2025, 07. June 2026)
- Papageno Joshua Hopkins (30. August, 05., 10., 13. September 2025), Michael Nagl (19., 28. September, 04., 11. October, 01. November, 20. December 2025), Danylo Matviienko (28. September, 04. October, 01. November 2025, 11., 24. January, 11. February, 04. July 2026), Sean Michael Plumb (11., 20. December 2025, 12., 24. April, 02., 07. May 2026), N.N. (07., 21. June 2026)
- Erste Dame Ute Selbig (30. August, 05., 10., 13., 28. September, 04. October, 01. November 2025, 24. January, 11. February, 07. June 2026), Roxana Incontrera (19., 28. September, 04., 11. October, 20. December 2025, 11. January, 12., 24. April, 21. June, 04. July 2026), Elena Gorshunova (01. November, 11., 20. December 2025, 02., 07. May 2026), Natasha Gesto (07., 21. June 2026)
- Zweite Dame Štěpánka Pučálková (30. August, 05., 10., 13., 28. September 2025), Sabine Brohm (19., 28. September, 04. October, 01. November, 20. December 2025, 11., 24. January, 11. February, 12., 24. April, 07., 21. June, 04. July 2026), Winona Martin (04., 11. October, 01. November, 11., 20. December 2025, 02., 07. May, 07., 21. June 2026)
- Dritte Dame Christa Mayer (30. August, 05., 10., 13., 28. September, 04., 11. October, 01. November 2025, 12., 24. April, 02. May 2026), Michal Doron (19. September, 04. October, 01. November 2025, 11. February, 21. June, 04. July 2026), Ekaterina Chayka-Rubinstein (11., 20. December 2025, 11., 24. January, 07. May 2026)
- Monostatos Jongwoo Hong (30. August, 05., 10., 13., 28. September, 04., 11. October, 01. November 2025, 24. January, 24. April, 02. May, 07., 21. June 2026), Timothy Oliver (19., 28. September, 04. October, 01. November 2025, 07. May, 07. June 2026), Aaron Pegram (11., 20. December 2025, 11. February, 12. April, 21. June, 04. July 2026), Simeon Esper (20. December 2025, 11. January 2026)
- Sprecher Markus Marquardt (30. August, 05., 10., 13., 19., 28. September, 04. October, 01. November, 11., 20. December 2025, 24. January, 07., 21. June, 04. July 2026), Martin-Jan Nijhof (28. September, 11. October, 01. November, 20. December 2025, 02., 07. May, 07., 21. June 2026), Alexander Grassauer (04. October 2025, 11. January, 11. February, 12., 24. April 2026)
- Papagena Magdalena Lucjan (30. August, 05., 10., 13., 28. September, 04. October, 01. November 2025, 11. January, 07. June 2026), Dalia Medovnikov (19., 28. September, 04., 11. October, 20. December 2025, 12., 24. April, 07., 21. June 2026), Christiane Hossfeld (01. November, 11., 20. December 2025, 24. January, 11. February, 02., 07. May, 21. June, 04. July 2026)
- Erster Priester Anton Beliaev (30. August, 05., 10., 13. September 2025), David Roy (19., 28. September, 04. October, 01. November, 11., 20. December 2025, 24. January, 12., 24. April, 07., 21. June 2026)
- Zweiter Priester Gerald Hupach (30. August, 05., 10., 13. September 2025, 24. April, 02., 07. May 2026), Jin Yu (11. October, 01. November, 11., 20. December 2025, 24. January, 21. June 2026), Jongwoo Hong (11. January, 11. February, 12. April 2026), Simeon Esper (07. June, 04. July 2026)
- Erster Geharnischter Jürgen Müller (30. August, 05., 10., 13. September, 04., 11. October, 01. November, 11., 20. December 2025, 24. April, 02., 07. May, 07., 21. June, 04. July 2026), Gerald Hupach (19., 28. September, 01. November 2025, 11., 24. January, 11. February, 12. April 2026)
- Zweiter Geharnischter Oleksandr Pushniak
- Drei Knaben Dresdner Kreuzchor
- Conductor Felix Krieger
- Staging Josef E. Köpplinger
- Set Design Walter Vogelweider
- Costume Design Dagmar Morell
- Lighting Design Fabio Antoci
- Choreography Ricarda Regina Ludigkeit
- Choir Jan Hoffmann, Jonathan Becker
- Dramaturgy Johann Casimir Eule
Sächsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden
Generously supported by the Stiftung Semperoper – Förderstiftung
- Sarastro Georg Zeppenfeld
- Königin der Nacht Maria Perlt-Gärtner
- Pamina Tuuli Takala
- Tamino Mario Lerchenberger
- Papageno Joshua Hopkins
- Erste Dame Ute Selbig
- Zweite Dame Štěpánka Pučálková
- Dritte Dame Christa Mayer
- Monostatos Jongwoo Hong
- Sprecher Markus Marquardt
- Papagena Magdalena Lucjan
- Erster Priester Anton Beliaev
- Zweiter Priester Gerald Hupach
- Erster Geharnischter Jürgen Müller
- Zweiter Geharnischter Oleksandr Pushniak
- Drei Knaben Dresdner Kreuzchor
- Conductor Killian Farrell
- Staging Josef E. Köpplinger
- Set Design Walter Vogelweider
- Costume Design Dagmar Morell
- Lighting Design Fabio Antoci
- Choreography Ricarda Regina Ludigkeit
- Choir Jan Hoffmann, Jonathan Becker
- Dramaturgy Johann Casimir Eule
Sächsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden
Generously supported by the Stiftung Semperoper – Förderstiftung
- Sarastro Tilmann Rönnebeck
- Königin der Nacht Maria Perlt-Gärtner
- Pamina Tuuli Takala
- Tamino Mario Lerchenberger
- Papageno Joshua Hopkins
- Erste Dame Ute Selbig
- Zweite Dame Štěpánka Pučálková
- Dritte Dame Christa Mayer
- Monostatos Jongwoo Hong
- Sprecher Markus Marquardt
- Papagena Magdalena Lucjan
- Erster Priester Anton Beliaev
- Zweiter Priester Gerald Hupach
- Erster Geharnischter Jürgen Müller
- Zweiter Geharnischter Oleksandr Pushniak
- Drei Knaben Dresdner Kreuzchor
- Conductor Killian Farrell
- Staging Josef E. Köpplinger
- Set Design Walter Vogelweider
- Costume Design Dagmar Morell
- Lighting Design Fabio Antoci
- Choreography Ricarda Regina Ludigkeit
- Choir Jan Hoffmann, Jonathan Becker
- Dramaturgy Johann Casimir Eule
Sächsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden
Generously supported by the Stiftung Semperoper – Förderstiftung
- Sarastro Anthony Robin Schneider
- Königin der Nacht N.N.
- Pamina Nikola Hillebrand
- Tamino Mario Lerchenberger
- Papageno Joshua Hopkins
- Erste Dame Ute Selbig
- Zweite Dame Štěpánka Pučálková
- Dritte Dame Christa Mayer
- Monostatos Jongwoo Hong
- Sprecher Markus Marquardt
- Papagena Magdalena Lucjan
- Erster Priester Anton Beliaev
- Zweiter Priester Gerald Hupach
- Erster Geharnischter Jürgen Müller
- Zweiter Geharnischter Oleksandr Pushniak
- Drei Knaben Dresdner Kreuzchor
- Conductor Killian Farrell
- Staging Josef E. Köpplinger
- Set Design Walter Vogelweider
- Costume Design Dagmar Morell
- Lighting Design Fabio Antoci
- Choreography Ricarda Regina Ludigkeit
- Choir Jan Hoffmann, Jonathan Becker
- Dramaturgy Johann Casimir Eule
Sächsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden
Generously supported by the Stiftung Semperoper – Förderstiftung
- Sarastro Anthony Robin Schneider
- Königin der Nacht Maria Perlt-Gärtner
- Pamina Nikola Hillebrand
- Tamino Mario Lerchenberger
- Papageno Joshua Hopkins
- Erste Dame Ute Selbig
- Zweite Dame Štěpánka Pučálková
- Dritte Dame Christa Mayer
- Monostatos Jongwoo Hong
- Sprecher Markus Marquardt
- Papagena Magdalena Lucjan
- Erster Priester Anton Beliaev
- Zweiter Priester Gerald Hupach
- Erster Geharnischter Jürgen Müller
- Zweiter Geharnischter Oleksandr Pushniak
- Drei Knaben Dresdner Kreuzchor
- Conductor Killian Farrell
- Staging Josef E. Köpplinger
- Set Design Walter Vogelweider
- Costume Design Dagmar Morell
- Lighting Design Fabio Antoci
- Choreography Ricarda Regina Ludigkeit
- Choir Jan Hoffmann, Jonathan Becker
- Dramaturgy Johann Casimir Eule
Sächsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden
Generously supported by the Stiftung Semperoper – Förderstiftung
- Sarastro Georg Zeppenfeld
- Königin der Nacht Maria Perlt-Gärtner
- Pamina Nikola Hillebrand
- Tamino Tomislav Mužek
- Papageno Michael Nagl
- Erste Dame Roxana Incontrera
- Zweite Dame Sabine Brohm
- Dritte Dame Michal Doron
- Monostatos Timothy Oliver
- Sprecher Markus Marquardt
- Papagena Dalia Medovnikov
- Erster Priester David Roy
- Erster Geharnischter Gerald Hupach
- Zweiter Geharnischter Oleksandr Pushniak
- Drei Knaben Dresdner Kreuzchor
- Conductor Killian Farrell
- Staging Josef E. Köpplinger
- Set Design Walter Vogelweider
- Costume Design Dagmar Morell
- Lighting Design Fabio Antoci
- Choreography Ricarda Regina Ludigkeit
- Choir Jan Hoffmann, Jonathan Becker
- Dramaturgy Johann Casimir Eule
Sächsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden
Generously supported by the Stiftung Semperoper – Förderstiftung
- Sarastro Tilmann Rönnebeck
- Königin der Nacht Maria Perlt-Gärtner
- Pamina N.N.
- Tamino Mario Lerchenberger
- Papageno Danylo Matviienko
- Erste Dame Ute Selbig
- Zweite Dame Sabine Brohm
- Dritte Dame Christa Mayer
- Monostatos Jongwoo Hong
- Sprecher Markus Marquardt
- Papagena Dalia Medovnikov
- Erster Priester David Roy
- Erster Geharnischter Gerald Hupach
- Zweiter Geharnischter Oleksandr Pushniak
- Drei Knaben Dresdner Kreuzchor
In brief
In answer to Tamino’s question about who he is, Papageno says »A man like you«. Tamino’s reply to the counter-question is that he comes from »princely blood«. Thus it is clear from the word go that while the bird-catcher Papageno has true humanity, this is something still lacking in Tamino. While this goal is truly noble, the pathway to achieving it is humorous, playful and, one could say, humane. As described by the libretto, the protagonists undergo various trials, encounter hell’s vengeance and the sweetest love, meet dancing animals and child-spirits, until Tamino and Pagageno finally reach their happy goal. On the one hand, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s last opera »The Magic Flute«, which premiered in Vienna in 1791, follows the venerable tradition of Viennese magical theatre.
On the other hand, Mozart and his librettist Emanuel Schikaneder were also inspired by the Enlightenment ideas of the Freemasons to create a blend of crazy buffoonery and Masonic symbolism, striking misogyny and the deepest humanity, all infused with heavenly music. These elements make »The Magic Flute« the successful opera that has been enjoyed by each generation and is still beloved today.
Storyline
Act one
Prince Tamino is being pursued by a wild serpent. At the last minute, he is saved by three mysterious ladies who have been sent by the queen of the night. When the bird catcher Papageno appears and boasts about the heroic deed they punish him. In contrast, they give the prince a portrait of Pamina, the daughter of the queen who is being held captive by the ruler of the temple of the sun, Sarastro. Tamino falls in love with her. The queen appears in person and orders him to rescue Pamina together with Papageno. A magic flute will protect him from any danger whilst a reluctant Papageno is given magic bells. Guided by three young boys, they set off on their way to Sarastro’s temple. Whilst the temple guards tell Tamino that Sarastro is not the evil tyrant that the queen has depicted, Papageno finds Pamino and tries to flee with her. With the help of the chimes, he is able to distract her guard Monostatos although his efforts are scuppered by the appearance of Sarastro. Papageno, Pamina and Tamino have to stay in Sarastro’s kingdom as Sarastro has something greater planned for Tamino: just as he has taken Pamina into his kingdom to protect her from her mother, he plans to get Tamino into his circle of insiders of the sun temple and, in this way, prepare him for future tasks.
Act two
Tamino and Papageno are challenged to undergo various trials to prove that they are fit to be accepted into the circle of insiders. Firstly, they have to learn to remain silent which is difficult, particularly for Papageno. When an elderly woman appears, he is unable to keep this up and asks her what her name is. She then disappears with a clap of thunder. Papageno comforts himself with food and drink which is miraculously served to them both. Only Tamino remains silent and plays his flute for solace. Pamina appears but cannot understand why Tamino is no longer speaking to her. Her mother – the queen of the night – had previously tried in vain to persuade her to murder Sarastro. When, in her despair, she tries to take her life, the three young boys snatch the dagger away from her and lead her back to Tamino. Together they face the final test, the fire and water challenge. Protected by the magic sounds of the flute, they pass the test. Meanwhile, Papageno, in his loneliness, wishes that the elderly lady reappears and promises her that he will take her as his wife “as long as he doesn’t find anyone better”. She then transforms into a beautiful young girl but is taken away from him as the time has not yet come. Out of despair, Papageno wants to take his life but the three young boys remind him of the bells. The sound makes Papagena appear and both dream of a future with many children. The other couple is also happy: Tamino and Pamina, as future rulers, are accepted into the group of insiders and glorify the ideals of nature, wisdom and reason. Only the queen of the night comes to a bad ending: when she tries to enter the temple with her entourage, she is engulfed by the powers of darkness.
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The Magic Flute
