Opera

Die Zauberflöte / The Magic Flute

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

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 (Spoken dialogue is not translated word for word.)

Premiere
1. November 2020

Dates & Cast

  • Sarastro Tobias Kehrer (24. April, 02. May, 07., 21. June, 04. July 2026), Georg Zeppenfeld (12. April, 30. August, 05., 08., 20. September, 25. October, 15. November 2026), Adam Palka (07. May 2026), Anthony Robin Schneider (07., 21. June 2026), Tilmann Rönnebeck (05., 20. September, 02., 15. November 2026, 08., 10., 12. February, 09. April, 03., 06., 23. May 2027), N.N. (23., 25. October 2026, 28. March, 07. May 2027), Goran Jurić (17., 20., 28. March, 06., 23. May 2027)
  • Königin der Nacht Maria Perlt-Gärtner (24. April, 07.afternoon, 07.evening, 21.afternoon, 21.evening June, 04. July, 30. August, 05.afternoon, 05.evening, 08., 20.afternoon, 20.evening September, 15. November 2026, 10., 12. February, 28. March, 06., 23. May 2027), Alina Wunderlin (12. April, 02., 07. May 2026), Annija Adamsone (23., 25.afternoon, 25.evening October 2026, 17., 20. March, 09. April, 03., 07. May 2027), Jasmin Delfs (02., 15. November 2026, 08. February, 28. March, 06., 23. May 2027)
  • Pamina Magdalena Lucjan (04. July, 20. September, 23., 25. October, 02. November 2026, 08., 10., 12. February, 23. May 2027), Liv Redpath (12., 24. April, 02. May 2026), Katharina Konradi (07. May, 07., 21. June 2026), Louise McClelland Jacobsen (07., 21. June, 30. August, 05., 08. September, 15. November 2026, 20., 28. March, 09. April, 06., 23. May 2027), Nikola Hillebrand (05., 20. September 2026)
  • Tamino Mario Lerchenberger (12., 24. April, 07., 21. June, 04. July, 20. September, 23., 25. October, 15. November 2026, 06., 23. May 2027), James Ley (02., 07. May, 21. June, 30. August, 05., 08., 20. September, 02., 15. November 2026, 08., 10., 12. February, 17., 20., 28. March 2027), Johan Krogius (07. June, 05. September 2026, 03., 06., 07., 23. May 2027), N.N. (25. October 2026, 28. March, 09. April 2027)
  • Papageno Danylo Matviienko (04. July, 20. September, 25. October, 15. November 2026, 28. March, 03., 06., 07., 23. May 2027), Sean Michael Plumb (12., 24. April, 02., 07. May 2026), Anton Beliaev (07., 21. June, 05. September 2026, 08., 10., 12. February, 28. March, 06. May 2027), Michael Nagl (30. August, 05., 08., 20. September, 23., 25. October, 02., 15. November 2026, 17., 20. March, 09. April, 23. May 2027)
  • Erste Dame Roxana Incontrera (12., 24. April, 21. June, 04. July 2026), Elena Gorshunova (02., 07. May 2026), Natasha Gesto (07., 21. June, 05., 20. September, 25. October, 15. November 2026, 28. March, 09. April, 03., 06., 07., 23. May 2027), Ute Selbig (07. June, 30. August, 05., 08., 20. September, 23., 25. October, 02., 15. November 2026), N.N. (08., 10., 12. February, 17., 20., 28. March, 06., 23. May 2027)
  • Zweite Dame Sabine Brohm (12., 24. April, 07., 21. June, 04. July, 05., 08., 20. September 2026, 20., 28. March 2027), Winona Martin (02., 07. May, 07., 21. June, 30. August, 05. September, 25. October, 15. November 2026, 03., 06., 07., 23. May 2027), Nicole Chirka (20. September, 23., 25. October, 02., 15. November 2026, 08., 10., 12. February, 17., 28. March, 09. April, 06., 23. May 2027)
  • Dritte Dame Michal Doron (21.afternoon, 21.evening June, 04. July, 05. September 2026, 08., 10., 12. February, 20., 28.afternoon, 28.evening March, 06., 23. May 2027), Christa Mayer (12., 24. April, 02. May, 30. August, 05., 08., 20. September, 23., 25.afternoon, 25.evening October, 15. November 2026, 17. March, 09. April 2027), Ekaterina Chayka-Rubinstein (07. May, 20. September, 02., 15. November 2026, 03., 06., 07., 23. May 2027)
  • Monostatos Jongwoo Hong (12., 24. April, 02. May, 07., 21.afternoon, 21.evening June, 04. July 2026), Timothy Oliver (07. May, 07. June, 30. August, 05.afternoon, 05.evening, 08. September, 15.afternoon, 15.evening November 2026, 17., 20., 28.afternoon, 28.evening March 2027)
  • Sprecher Markus Marquardt (07., 21. June, 04. July, 30. August, 05. September, 25. October 2026, 28. March, 06. May 2027), Alexander Grassauer (12., 24. April, 23., 25. October 2026, 08. February, 07., 23. May 2027), Martin-Jan Nijhof (02., 07. May, 07., 21. June, 05., 08., 20.afternoon, 20.evening September, 02., 15.afternoon, 15.evening November 2026, 17., 20., 28. March, 09. April, 03., 06. May 2027), N.N. (10., 12. February, 23. May 2027)
  • Papagena Christiane Hossfeld (02., 07. May, 21. June, 04. July, 05., 08., 20. September, 23., 25. October 2026, 06., 23. May 2027), Dalia Medovnikov (12., 24. April, 07.afternoon, 07.evening, 21. June, 30. August, 05. September, 02., 15.afternoon, 15.evening November 2026, 08., 10., 12. February, 17., 20., 28.afternoon, 28.evening March, 09. April, 03., 06., 07. May 2027), N.N. (20. September, 25. October 2026, 23. May 2027)
  • Erster Priester Metehan Köklü (07., 21. June, 04. July, 08., 20. September 2026, 09. April, 03., 06.afternoon, 06.evening, 07., 23.afternoon, 23.evening May 2027), David Roy (12., 24. April, 02., 07. May, 07., 21. June, 30. August, 05.afternoon, 05.evening September, 23., 25.afternoon, 25.evening October, 02., 15.afternoon, 15.evening November 2026, 08., 10., 12. February, 17., 20. March 2027), N.N. (20. September 2026)
  • Zweiter Priester Jin Yu (12. April, 21.afternoon, 21.evening June, 04. July, 30. August, 05.afternoon, 05.evening, 08. September, 23., 25.afternoon, 25.evening October, 02., 15.afternoon, 15.evening November 2026, 09. April, 03., 06.afternoon, 06.evening, 07., 23.afternoon, 23.evening May 2027), Gerald Hupach (24. April, 02., 07. May, 20.afternoon, 20.evening September 2026), Simeon Esper (07.afternoon, 07.evening June 2026), N.N. (08., 10., 12. February, 17., 20., 28.afternoon, 28.evening March 2027)
  • Erster Geharnischter Jürgen Müller (24. April, 02., 07. May, 07.afternoon, 07.evening, 21.afternoon, 21.evening June, 04. July, 30. August, 05.afternoon, 05.evening, 08., 20.afternoon, 20.evening September 2026), Gerald Hupach (12. April 2026, 08., 10., 12. February, 09. April, 03., 06.afternoon, 06.evening, 07., 23.afternoon, 23.evening May 2027), Simeon Esper (23., 25.afternoon, 25.evening October, 02., 15.afternoon, 15.evening November 2026), N.N. (17., 20., 28.afternoon, 28.evening March 2027)
  • Zweiter Geharnischter Metehan Köklü (12., 24. April, 07.afternoon, 07.evening, 21.afternoon, 21.evening June, 04. July, 23., 25.afternoon, 25.evening October, 02. November 2026, 17., 20., 28.afternoon, 28.evening March 2027), Matthias Henneberg (02., 07. May, 20.afternoon, 20.evening September 2026, 07. May 2027), Oleksandr Pushniak (30. August, 05.afternoon, 05.evening, 08. September, 15.afternoon, 15.evening November 2026, 08., 10., 12. February, 09. April, 03., 06.afternoon, 06.evening, 23.afternoon, 23.evening May 2027)
  • Drei Knaben Tölzer Knabenchor (21.afternoon, 21.evening June, 04. July 2026), Aurelius Sängerknaben Calw (12., 24. April, 02. May 2026), Dresdner Kreuzchor (07. May, 07.afternoon, 07.evening June 2026)
Please try it at box office
Sold out
Duration
7 pm – 9.50 pm
One intermission
Free introductory talk
held in the Semper Opera House cellar 45 minutes before curtain-up
Guided tour through the Semperoper
Audio description
Save date
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden
 Sächsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden

Generously supported by the Stiftung Semperoper – Förderstiftung

Please try it at box office
Sold out
Duration
7 pm – 9.50 pm
One intermission
Free introductory talk
held in the Semper Opera House cellar 45 minutes before curtain-up
Guided tour through the Semperoper
Save date
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden
 Sächsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden

Generously supported by the Stiftung Semperoper – Förderstiftung

Please try it at box office
Sold out
Duration
7 pm – 9.50 pm
One intermission
Free introductory talk
held in the Semper Opera House cellar 45 minutes before curtain-up
Guided tour through the Semperoper
Save date
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden
 Sächsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden

Generously supported by the Stiftung Semperoper – Förderstiftung

Tickets
Duration
7 pm – 9.50 pm
One intermission
Free introductory talk
held in the Semper Opera House cellar 45 minutes before curtain-up
Guided tour through the Semperoper
Audio description
Save date
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden
 Sächsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden

Generously supported by the Stiftung Semperoper – Förderstiftung

Family Performance
Please try it at box office
Sold out
Duration
2 pm – 4.50 pm
One intermission
Free introductory talk
held in the Semper Opera House cellar 45 minutes before curtain-up
Family Introductions
Free introductory talk for children and families 45 minutes before curtain-up in the opera cellar, duration around 20 minutes
Guided tour through the Semperoper
Save date
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden
 Sächsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden

Generously supported by the Stiftung Semperoper – Förderstiftung

Tickets
Duration
7 pm – 9.50 pm
One intermission
Free introductory talk
held in the Semper Opera House cellar 45 minutes before curtain-up
Guided tour through the Semperoper
Save date
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden
 Sächsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden

Generously supported by the Stiftung Semperoper – Förderstiftung

all dates

In brief

Szene aus "Die Zauberflöte": Sängerin steht mittig auf der Bühne, ein Sänger kniet links neben ihr

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.

Explore

Stücktrailer

The Magic Flute

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.

Recommendations

Szenenbild „Das Kind und der Zauberspuk“

Das Kind und der Zauberspuk / L’enfant et les sortilèges

Lyrische Fantasie von Maurice Ravel  
Hochzeitstorte mit Figuren vom Brautpaar

The Italian Straw Hat

Farsa musicale in vier Akten by Nino Rota  
back to top
back to top