This February, Simon McBurney’s much-loved and enchanting production of The Magic Flute returns to the English National Opera (ENO) for its third revival since its original premiere in the 2013/14 Season. This ‘life-enhancing, gloriously creative’ (The Spectator) production is staged at the London Coliseum in collaboration with pioneering theatre company Complicité.
This unique rendition of one of Mozart’s most enduring operas combines singers and actors to evoke a magical world of monsters and mystery. Armed with only a magic flute, Prince Tamino is given a fantastical quest to rescue the Queen of The Night’s daughter Pamina from the High Priest Sarastro. A contemporary setting, with live sound effects, drawing, animation, and the ENO Orchestra raised to stage level make this a joyously accessible operatic event.
This contemporary spin on the original 18th century pantomime atmosphere features instrumentalists incorporated into the production and action breaking out into the auditorium. The Magic Flute, one of the most enduringly successful operas of all time, is given an intimately theatrical reimagining with ‘spectacular effects’ (The Stage).
Director Simon McBurney is one of the most innovative and influential theatre-makers, and he presents The Magic Flute with ‘startling humour and theatrical wizardry’ (The Observer). In 1983, he co-founded the company Complicité and since then all his work has been made through a deeply researched and highly collaborative process which fuses a profound belief that all aspects of theatre should challenge the limits of theatrical form.
Making her ENO debut conducting the award-winning ENO Orchestra is German-born Erina Yashima. In 2022, Yashima started her tenure as the First Kapellmeister at the Komische Oper Berlin, and she had previously been the Assistant Conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
American tenor Norman Reinhardt makes his ENO debut as Tamino. This is a role Reinhardt has made his signature, performing it at San Francisco Opera, Teatro Real, the Bregenz Festival, and Houston Grand Opera where his ‘beautiful tenor voice sets the tone from his first note’ (Broadway World). Performing the role of Tamino on 12 March (11.00) is former Harewood Artist William Morgan.
American soprano Rainelle Krause makes her ENO debut at the London Coliseum in the role of The Queen of the Night. Krause has delighted audiences with her ‘impressive’ (Badische Zeitung) performances in this role and made it her signature, performing it at Danish Royal Opera, Berlin Staatsoper, and Deutsche Oper Berlin. She has also captivated the opera world singing this character’s iconic aria whilst performing an aerial routine. Krause reunites with the ENO Orchestra after having performed in the ENO’s BBC Proms concert Horrible Histories – ‘Orrible Opera at the Royal Albert Hall in 2023.
‘Stand-out’ (The Arts Desk) British baritone David Stout performs the role of Papageno. A versatile performer, Stout has a formidable reputation for his vocal prowess, refined acting and charismatic stage presence. He returns to the ENO following his performance in The Mikado as Pish-Tush during the 2012/13 Season.
British soprano and former Harewood Artist Sarah Tynan performs the role of Pamina. She returns to the ENO for her second engagement this season following her ‘heart-stopping performance’ (The i) of Lucia’s aria ‘Il dolce suono’ from Lucia di Lammermoor in Marina Abramović’s opera project, 7 Deaths of Maria Callas. Alexandra Oomens performs the role of Pamina on 12 March (11.00).
Canadian bass John Relyea performs the role of Sarastro. He has appeared in many of the most celebrated opera houses internationally, including the San Francisco Opera where he is an alumnus of the Merola Opera Programme and a former Adler Fellow. He returns to the ENO following his performance as Wotan in 2023’s The Rhinegold, and for his second engagement this season in Duke Bluebeard’s Castle in March 2024. Jonathan Lemalu performs the role of Sarastro on 19 March.
British soprano Carrie-Ann Williams makes a welcome return to the ENO in the role of 1st Lady. Williams recently made her ENO debut performing the role of Micaëla in Carmen during the 2022/23 Season. She is joined by Harewood Artist and British mezzo-soprano Amy Holyland who is performing the role of 2nd Lady. Holyland recently performed the role of Flora Bervoix in La traviata in October 2023. British mezzo-soprano Stephanie Wake-Edwards makes her ENO debut in the role of 3rd Lady. Wake-Edwards is an alumnus of the Jette Parker Young Artist Programme.
British tenor Peter Hoare returns to the ENO to perform the role of Monostatos. Hoare most recently performed in The Mask of Orpheus in the role of Orpheus Man during the 2019/20 Season. Reprising his role from the 2019 staging of the production, New Zealand bass-baritone Jonathan Lemalu returns to perform the role of Speaker. Ossian Huskinson will be performing the role of Speaker on 19 March.
Australian soprano and Harewood Artist Alexandra Oomens in the role of Papagena. Oomens returns to the London Coliseum stage following her performances in Carmen, Gloriana and The Yeomen of the Guard during the 2022/23 Season. Isabelle Peters performs the role of Papagena on 12 March (11.00).
Completing the cast is Irish tenor Gavan Ring performing the role of First Armed Man. Ring returns having previously performed in Carmen during the 2019/20 Season. Michael Bell will be singing the role of First Armed Man on 28 March. Harewood Artist and British bass-baritone Ossian Huskinson performs the role of Second Armed Man. He returns to the ENO having recently performed in Tosca and It’s a Wonderful Life during the 2022/23 Season. ENO Chorus member Robert Winslade Anderson performs the role of Second Armed Man on 19, 28 and 30 March.
Rachel Hewer is the Revival Director, Michael Levine is the Set Designer, Nicky Gillibrand is the Costume Designer, Jean Kalman is the Original Lighting Designer, Mike Gunning is the Revival Lighting Designer, Gareth Fry is the Original Sound Designer, Matthieu Maurice is the Revival Sound Designer, Finn Ross is the Original Video Designer, Jane Michelmore is the Revival Video Designer, Josie Daxter is the Original Movement Director, Gabriella Schmidt is the Revival Movement Director, and the translation is by Stephen Jeffreys.
The Magic Flute opens on Wednesday 28 February for 11 performances: Feb 28, Mar 1, 6, 12, 15, 19, 26, 28 at 19.00. Mar 9 at 18.00. Mar 30 at 15.00. Mar 12 at 11.00. Tickets are on sale here
