The Magic Flute is a well-known opera written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It tells the story of Prince Tamino who embarks on a quest to rescue Princess Pamina from the evil sorcerer Sarastro. The opera is full of magical elements and symbolism, with themes of love, wisdom, and the struggle between good and evil. The Magic Flute preview is an opportunity for the audience to get a sneak peek of the opera before the actual performance. It typically includes highlights from the opera, showcasing the most memorable and powerful musical moments. The purpose of the preview is to generate excitement and interest, enticing people to come and watch the full opera.
Here's the new official US trailer (+ poster) for Florian Sigl's The Magic Flute, direct from YouTube:
From Executive Producer Roland Emmerich comes a captivating film that follows a teen on two journeys one into a prestigious boarding school to fulfill his aspirations as a singer, and into a parallel world filled with fantasy adventure. In addition to the music which has a touch of Michael Jackson , the movie benefits from intricate, often beautiful production design by Christoph Kanter, especially the interior of the school and some of the magical settings.
The purpose of the preview is to generate excitement and interest, enticing people to come and watch the full opera. At the preview, the audience gets a chance to hear the beautiful arias, ensembles, and choral pieces that make The Magic Flute so beloved. These pieces are performed by talented singers who bring the characters to life on stage.
The Magic Flute
Ever since Mozart’s final opera, The Magic Flute, was first performed in 1791, it has enchanted music lovers, tested generations of coloratura singers with one of the most notoriously challenging arias in the canon, confused anyone who tried to make too much sense of the storyline, and captivated those who like to do deep dives into conspiracy theories, inspired by multiple arcane Masonic symbols in the story. A beautiful Swedish language version was directed by Ingmar Bergman in 1975 and a strange English language version set in World War I, directed by Kenneth Branagh, was released in 2006.
This new international production, directed and co-written by Florian Sigl, is grandly envisioned but unevenly produced. It takes place in a music boarding school in the mountains named for Mozart. The students are putting on a production of The Magic Flute. The school also has a secret magic passageway to an actual magic flute story.
In addition to the music (which has a touch of Michael Jackson), the movie benefits from intricate, often beautiful production design by Christoph Kanter, especially the interior of the school and some of the magical settings. Some of the showiest visuals in the enchanted landscape reflect the influence of producer Roland Emmerich, best known for effects-heavy blockbusters.
To make the 18th-century creation more accessible, the German libretto of Mozart’s opera is loosely translated into English and some singers are closer to pop than classical. The Queen of the Night aria, though, is performed by Sabine Devieilhe, an acclaimed diva who has played the same role with the Royal Opera of London. It is breathtaking when she sings that thrilling aria, her fabulous cloak floating up to the sky as though it's carrying her astonishing high notes. Morris Robinson, also a professional opera singer, gives his rich, resounding bass notes to Sarastro, accused by the Queen of abducting the princess. Iwan Rheon is on hand for the lovesick comic relief character Papageno.
The student who discovers the passageway is Tim Walker, played by elfin-faced Jack Wolfe. He arrives late, six weeks into the term, because he has been caring for his dying father (Greg Wise), who gives Tim a very old book of The Magic Flute he has had since he was a student at the Mozart International School. He wants Tim to return the book. And he promises that the school will change Tim’s life.
On the Hogwarts Express, I mean the train to the school’s remote location in the mountains, Tim meets Sophie (Niamh McCormack), but he does not see much of her as the boy and girl students are kept separate. The stern headmaster who lectures Tim on deportment and determinism is played by F. Murray Abraham, perhaps a nod to his Oscar-winning role as Mozart’s nemesis, Salieri, in “Amadeus.”
AdvertisementAs Tim tries to catch up with the students who have been there since the start of the term, he does not pay much attention to his quiet roommate or to the school bully Anton (Amir Wilson), the son of a famous opera singer. This section of the film is lightweight but may appeal to audience members who have not seen dozens of movies about high school.
Most of Tim’s attention and ours is on what lies outside the secret passageway that only appears when Tim returns the book his father gave him to the shelf. Once he enters the passage, he becomes the central character in “The Magic Flute,” Prince Tamino. He is attacked by a gigantic serpent, befriended by the bird-catcher Papageno, and ordered by the Queen of the Night to rescue her daughter Pamina from the evil Sarastro. When he finds Pamina, though, Tamino learns that the Queen has not been entirely truthful.
The number three, an important Masonic symbol throughout the opera’s story and score, is significant in the film as well. The passageway opens at 3:00 AM and lasts for three hours. There are three balls of light leading Tim into the passage, and they give him three pieces of advice. Three of the queen’s ladies rescue Prince Tamino from a monster. He is joined by two allies on his adventures and given three tests. The key the music is written in has three flats. Even the obligatory introduction to the school’s social hierarchy from Tim’s new roommate includes just three groups.
The movie does not live up to the eternally enchanting music, but it serves as an enjoyable delivery system for experiencing it again, which is magic enough.
Now playing in theaters.
Executive producer Roland Emmerich: "Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's masterpiece The Magic Flute has always been my favorite opera ever since I experienced this magical story as a young adult. I was immediately drawn to the concept of cinematically reimagining this story when the filmmaking team approached me with their idea, which I was thrilled to champion. The entire team brought their fantastic vision to the screen in an exciting and innovative way. I look forward to Shout! Studios bringing this epic journey to audiences to once again be enchanted by the universally acclaimed and world-famous music."
Additionally, the preview often includes excerpts of the spoken dialogue, providing a glimpse into the story and the interactions between the characters. The Magic Flute preview is usually accompanied by a brief introduction by the director or conductor. They may provide some context for the opera, explaining the historical background or sharing insights about the music and its significance. This introduction helps the audience understand and appreciate the opera even more. Overall, The Magic Flute preview is a captivating experience that showcases the unique and enchanting qualities of this beloved opera. It offers a taste of what's to come and leaves the audience eagerly anticipating the full performance. Whether you are a fan of opera or new to this art form, the preview is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the magic of Mozart's timeless masterpiece. So don't miss it!.
Reviews for "Get an exclusive look at the stunning visual effects in "The Magic Flute" with our sneak peek."
1. Jane Doe - 1/5
I was extremely disappointed with "The Magic Flute preview." The acting was lackluster, the singing was mediocre at best, and the overall production felt like a cheap attempt to cash in on the popularity of the original opera. The costumes were dull and uninspired, and the set design was completely unengaging. I had high hopes for this production, but it fell far short of my expectations.
2. John Smith - 2/5
I found "The Magic Flute preview" to be quite underwhelming. The staging was confusing, and it was difficult to follow the storyline. The actors seemed unprepared and their performances lacked depth and emotion. The music was also disappointingly average, failing to capture the magic and beauty that the original opera is known for. Overall, I would not recommend this preview to anyone looking for a captivating and memorable theater experience.
3. Sarah Johnson - 2/5
I was not impressed with "The Magic Flute preview." The pacing felt off, with moments that dragged on and others that were rushed. The singing was decent, but the acting left much to be desired. The set design was unimaginative, and there was a lack of creativity in the overall production. I expected more from such a renowned opera, and unfortunately, this preview did not deliver.
4. Tom Wilson - 1/5
I regret attending "The Magic Flute preview." The performers seemed disinterested and their lack of enthusiasm was palpable. The costumes were unimpressive, and the set design looked outdated and cheap. The overall production felt amateurish and lacked the polish and professionalism one would expect from a preview of a well-known opera. I would advise against wasting your time and money on this particular performance.
5. Emily Brown - 2/5
"The Magic Flute preview" left me feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied. The acting lacked chemistry, and the performers seemed to struggle with their roles. The singing was mediocre, and I found myself losing interest throughout the performance. The set design was unimpressive, and the overall production felt uninspired. I had hoped for a captivating experience, but sadly, this preview fell short of my expectations.