Mozart’s The Magic Flute premiered last Friday
Mozart’s final and most mysterious opera, The Magic Flute, premiered last Friday at the Szeged National Theater, transporting audiences into its enchanting world.
As part of his daily routine, Tamino spends his evening at home in front of his computer, escaping into another reality to momentarily suspend the challenges of everyday life. But the familiar fantasy world he knows so well suddenly breaks free from its usual boundaries. A snake begins to chase him, the stars he once admired on posters come to life, and a meddlesome pet shop owner – who just happens to be passing by – unexpectedly becomes his ally. To make matters even stranger, the mysterious Queen of the Night appears and entrusts him with a daunting task: rescuing her daughter, Pamina. The challenge is immense – just like the love he feels for the girl.
Tamino finds himself in an unfamiliar world – one as foreign as his own untapped strength and abilities. His only aid is a magical flute – one he doesn’t even know how to play. How can he navigate this labyrinth? How does one grow up in an instant, and at what cost?
Mozart’s The Magic Flute is perhaps his most intricate and enigmatic work – at once a fairy-tale-like coming-of-age story, a grand world drama, and a mystical initiation ritual. Its rich tapestry of symbolism continues to inspire endless interpretations. Just as modern audiences struggle to navigate multiple layers of reality, Tamino embarks on a journey of self-discovery, seeking his purpose, his role, and his personal and collective identity. By the end of his quest, he must come to understand himself, find his partner, and discover his place in the world.
The performance lasts approximately 3 hours, with one intermission, and features the Szeged Symphony Orchestra and the choir of the Szeged National Theater.
Photos: Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify
