Image: The Magic Flute; photograph courtesy of Griffith University.
Mozart’s classic tale of Prince Tamino and his adventure to gain the hand of Princess Pamina is a powerful, operatic production that entertained and delighted the audience. Housed at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University in Brisbane, this state-of-the-art facility provided the perfect acoustic venue for this exceptional production featuring students from the Opera School.
The crowd were audibly excited from the beginning. A sudden hush quietened the venue as the orchestra began the musical introduction bringing both frolicsome and profundity with their implementation of Mozart’s work, which was executed beautifully throughout the show.
Sung in German, the opera was supported by surtitles above the stage, and though at times I found this distracting, I welcomed it as I was not that familiar with the narrative of the story. Moreover, immersing myself to the musical and operatic vocal talents really gave me the cultural pleasure to this at times insightful, moody and deep, and at others a whimsical, enlightening experience.
It was an inspiring night with incredible vocal talents such as Petah Chapman as Pamina, Phillip Prendergast as Tamino and Rachel Pines as The Queen of the Night. Chapman’s sensitive and divine performance was touching, graceful and unforgettable. However, when Pines entered the scene with all the power and presence of The Queen of the Night, wearing a glorious Nefertiti inspired costume, it was one of the highlights of the evening! Close to everyone’s heart though was the performance by Samuel Piper who delivered a delightful and quirky Papageno. Peels of giggles erupted from the audience as he commanded attention through his gesture, voice and mannerisms. All were enchanted by his piece with his magical bells. Needless to say, his role offered comic relief from all the drama and ceremony of the story. I found myself being taken away by the vivacity of his performance.
Notable was the visually stunning costumes throughout the evening. Classic apparel from Mozart’s period coupled with outfits within the Egyptian context imbued the production with credible authenticity. Stagecraft and simple props added poignant atmosphere such as the light bearers, spirits and so on.
Although the set design was simplistic, the huge fabric centre-piece set with rigging and flies represented the pyramids. Temple doorways were cleverly utilised along with subtle lighting techniques enduring as an agreeable visual and textural display – especially towards the ending whilst hovering over the stage. When combined with lighting techniques, the sequence where Tamino and Pamina were tested by fire and water was so ethereal and totally deserved of the initiation scene.
For music lovers, especially Mozart enthusiasts, theatre and opera fans The Magic Flute is an enchanting night out and a entertainment for the whole family.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
The Magic Flute
The Conservatorium Theatre
Southbank Brisbane
Director – Anna Sweeney AM
Conductor and Chorus Master – Associate Professor Nicholas Cleobury
Lighting Designer – Andrew Meadows
20 and 21 May 2016
