Orchestra & Chorus Of The Royal Opera House - Die Zauberflöte - BLU-RAY

David McVicar's classic production embraces both the seriousness and comedy of Mozart's work. The audience is transported to a fantastical world of dancing animals, flying machines and dazzlingly starry skies. The setting provides a wonderful backdrop for Mozart's kaleidoscopic score, from the Queen of the Night's coloratura fireworks to Tamino and Pamina's lyrical love duets and Papageno's hearty, folksong-like arias. Prince Tamino promises the Queen of the Night that he will rescue her daughter Pamina from the enchanter Sarastro. He begins his quest, accompanied by the bird-catcher Papageno - but all is not as it seems

Since it's premiere in a tiny suburban theatre in Vienna, Die Zauberflote has delighted audiences young and old for over 200 years. Mozart's Singspiel seamlessly alternates seriousness and jollity, and combines philosophical ideas with a fairytale world of wondrous animals and magical musical instruments. Emanuel Schikaneder's original production was theatrically inventive, and this new interpretation from director Simon McBurney emulates that in fresh and current terms. Fusing music, technology and stagecraft, this exciting production gives Die Zauberflote a refreshing new treatment that is both thrilling and simple in it's approach. Following an overwhelming success on stage, McBurney's unique production received five-star reviews in the Dutch press 'a feast for the eyes and the ears' (Het Parool) and 'Delicious!' (Trouw).

A classic story of love under the microscope is given a contemporary perspective in this performance of Mozart's Inchschool for loversInch. Così fan tutte is a compassionate examination of young love, full of wit and wonderful music which ensure it's lasting popularity. Così fan tutte was Mozart's final collaboration with the Italian librettist Lorenzo da Ponte, and Jonathan Miller's production, created for The Royal Opera, brings out the timelessness of this exploration of the human condition. Jonathan Miller's Royal Opera production of Cosi fan tutte was a staple of the repertory for nearly twenty years. He died in 2019.