DVD + Blu-Ray:
Critics’ Choice - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte

One of Mozart’s most enchanting works, Die Zauberflöte is a fairytale that uses familiar archetypes to ask provocative and difficult questions.

The Opus Arte Critics’ Choice series is a diverse range of titles, featuring some of the most acclaimed recordings in the label’s catalogue at a very special price. In this series we celebrate many famous classics while also revisiting some of the more innovative, original and perhaps less well-known productions that the label has long been renowned for showcasing. All the new Critics' Choice releases contain the beautifully designed, original artwork and colour booklets which, along with a new unique cover design uniting all the titles, makes them ideal for collectors.

Premiered just months before Mozart’s death, Die Zauberflöte in many ways represents a new departure for the composer. Catching the spirit of revolution in the air, Mozart turned his attention for the first time from court opera to popular opera, writing this singspiel (‘sung-play’) for a new and much broader audience.

Celebrated Canadian directing duo Barbe & Doucet make both their British and Glyndebourne debuts here with their new Die Zauberflöte, a veritable “theatrical feast of eccentricity.” (The Guardian). Ryan Wigglesworth conducts an outstanding cast including Russian soprano Sofia Fomina as Pamina, David Portillo as her beloved Tamino, Brindley Sherratt as Sarastro, and the ebullient Björn Bürger as Papageno.

"Visually, it’s a theatrical feast of eccentricity... witty, irrepressible, unforgettable..." (The Guardian ★★★★)

" ... bold, inquisitive playing from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under Ryan Wigglesworth in the pit, and uniformly enjoyable singing up top." (The Spectator)

Original title Die Zauberflöte
English title The Magic Flute
Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Genre Opera
Production Company Glyndebourne Festival Opera
Orchestra / Band Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Choir The Glyndebourne Chorus
Conductor Ryan Wigglesworth
Stage Director Barbe & Doucet
Production year 2019
Soloist David Portillo
Soloist Sofia Fomina
Soloist Brindley Sherratt
Soloist Caroline Wettergreen
Soloist Björn Bürger
Soloist Jörg Schneider
Soloist Alison Rose