"The Magic Flute", K.620, (original: "Die Zauberfloete"), first performed in 1791, is one of the most popular and enduring works of the legendary Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791).

Technically a "Singspiel" rather than an opera, as it contains spoken dialect (as, incidentally, does Beethoven's only opera "Fidelio") it opens in a magical woodland where the tenor lead, Tamino, is pursued by a serpent. He faints in terror, is rescued by three ladies of the Queen of the Night (who later transpires to be the villainess rather than the heroine of the piece) and has his first encounter with Papageno, sung by a baritone, who is often portrayed in strange feathered attire and for many people is the most endearing character in the work.

The ladies give Tamino the titular flute, and Papageno a set of bells, and they set off on their picaresque adventures.

Although Papageno is a comical character, there is still an innate tenderness and pathos to the role, and he dreams of catching not a bird, but a lady-love of his own (the rather unfortunate double entendre does not exist in the original German!)

But there is a happy ending. Someone who originally appears as an old crone turns out to be the woman of his dreams, with feathers just like his own - Papagena! Though temporarily separated from her for breaking a vow of silence, and even threatening to kill himself (how seriously this is meant is open to interpretation) he is forgiven and they are reunited.

More Info: www.eno.org