Gramophone Magazine
February 2022
DVD of the Month

Mauro Peter (Tamino), Siobhan Stagg (Pamina), Roderick Williams (Papageno), Sabine Devieilhe (Queen of the Night), Mika Kares (Sarastro), Peter Bronder (Monostatos), Darren Jeffery (Speaker of the Temple), Christina Gansch (Papagena), Royal Opera House Covent Garden (opera company)
Julia Jones

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…

"This spirited performance, with good video direction by Jonathan Haswell, will give a great deal of pleasure." - Gramophone Magazine, February 2022.