Mozart
The Magic Flute
Sydney Opera House13 January–23 March 2027
Mozart
The Magic Flute
Sydney Opera House13 January–23 March 2027
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Location: Sydney
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See All Events2027
January
13 Jan 2027
16 Jan 2027
19 Jan 2027
21 Jan 2027
23 Jan 2027
27 Jan 2027
30 Jan 2027
February
02 Feb 2027
04 Feb 2027
08 Feb 2027
10 Feb 2027
13 Feb 2027
15 Feb 2027
18 Feb 2027
20 Feb 2027
22 Feb 2027
25 Feb 2027
27 Feb 2027
March
01 Mar 2027
03 Mar 2027
05 Mar 2027
08 Mar 2027
10 Mar 2027
13 Mar 2027
18 Mar 2027
20 Mar 2027
23 Mar 2027
Venue
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point, Sydney
Language
Performed in German with English dialogue and surtitles.
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The Magic Flute. A Scottish Opera production.
A thrilling adventure through Mozart, magic and mayhem.
Set out on a surprising journey through a surreal and spectacular world with a new staging of Mozart’s most inventive opera.
Filled with humour and heart, The Magic Flute follows Prince Tamino’s daring quest to rescue Pamina — and the perilous trials the young pair face as they find their way back to the light.
With fabulously fun sets and costumes inspired by the works of Jules Verne and HG Wells, this is a feast for the eyes and the ears, with some of Mozart’s most famous music, including the extraordinarily high notes of the Queen of the Night aria.
Sir Thomas Allen is a legend of the operatic stage who has been breathing life into Mozart’s operas for over half a century — first as a baritone and now as a director. His staging of The Magic Flute is full of whimsy, wit and wonder and has delighted audiences across the UK.
Winning five-star reviews, this staging was lauded as “one of the most entertaining and ingenious productions of Mozart’s final stage work” (The Times) and “the whole thing is a triumph” (The Herald).
Featuring a thrilling mix of international talent and a new generation of Australian stars, this fresh take on The Magic Flute is a wonderful night at the opera.
Cast & Creative
Conductor
Director
Designer
Lighting Designer
Movement Director
Translation
Pamina
Tamino
Sarastro
Queen of the Night
Papageno
Papagena
Monostatos
First Lady
Second Lady
Third Lady
Speaker
First Armoured Man
Second Armoured Man
Opera Australia Orchestra
Opera Australia Chorus
The Magic Flute, Scottish Opera (2012)
Photo: Ken Dundas
The Magic Flute, Scottish Opera (2019)
Photo: James Glossop
The Magic Flute, Scottish Opera (2019)
Photo: James Glossop
The Magic Flute, Scottish Opera (2019)
Photo: James Glossop
The Magic Flute, Scottish Opera (2019)
Photo: James Glossop
The Magic Flute, Scottish Opera (2019)
Photo: James Glossop
Cheat Sheet: The Magic Flute
A cheat's guide to Mozart’s fairytale opera of good and evil
What happens in the story? Who was the composer? What should I expect from the music? Here’s everything you need to know…
Synopsis
ACT I
Prince Tamino is rescued from a serpent by Three Ladies. Their mistress, the Queen of the Night, promises her daughter Pamina to the Prince if he will rescue Pamina from the wicked Sarastro. Tamino sets out on his quest accompanied by the birdman, Papageno, and guided by Three Boys.
Pamina has tried to escape from Sarastro, but has been recaptured by his servant Monostatos and his slaves. She is rescued by Papageno, and together they try to escape.
The Boys lead Tamino to the temples of wisdom, reason and nature.
Confronted by a wise priest, the Speaker, Tamino learns that Sarastro represents not evil, but the path to virtue and enlightenment.
Pamina and Papageno evade Monostatos, but meeting Sarastro leads to an invitation for Tamino and Papageno to undergo the initiation trials to the brotherhood.
INTERVAL
ACT II
The members of Sarastro‘s order debate and pronounce Tamino and Papageno worthy to undergo the trials.
Tamino and Papageno are sworn to silence – already something of a trial for Papageno.
Monostatos witnesses the Queen of the Night instruct Pamina to kill Sarastro, but his attempts to coerce Pamina are thwarted by the intervention of Sarastro himself. The all-knowing Sarastro preaches forgiveness.
Thinking herself rejected by Tamino’s silence, Pamina contemplates suicide but is dissuaded by the Three Boys.
Tamino is reunited with Pamina. Together, they undergo the final trials of fire and water, and are welcomed into the order.
In desperation, having lost Papagena, Papageno threatens to commit suicide but is interrupted by the Three Boys, who remind him that the power of the magic bells could be the answer.
The Queen and her followers plan the final assault on Sarastro’s temple, but are vanquished by Sarastro.
Man and Woman’s triumphant journey to enlightenment is celebrated.
Credit: Ian Brooke
The Magic Flute. A Scottish Opera production.