I could have enjoyed the Magic Flute more - though perhaps it was largely due to my own hearing and other personall issues that I didn't rate it too highly.
After all, why should we be any more convinced by a setting seemingly in Ancient Egypt or some pastiche of such, with a mish-mash of "priests" following obscure rituals, rather than a setting in a hotel with an army of chefs and cooks and trials looking like an episode of Master Chef?
What is wrong with making Sarastro look like a 21st Century Phillip Harben?
Given that the opera is pretty bonkers anyway most people would probably have found much to like. The orchestra played well and much of the singing was - as far as I could tell - very good. I have however enjoyed some other productions of this one more.
After all, why should we be any more convinced by a setting seemingly in Ancient Egypt or some pastiche of such, with a mish-mash of "priests" following obscure rituals, rather than a setting in a hotel with an army of chefs and cooks and trials looking like an episode of Master Chef?
What is wrong with making Sarastro look like a 21st Century Phillip Harben?
Given that the opera is pretty bonkers anyway most people would probably have found much to like. The orchestra played well and much of the singing was - as far as I could tell - very good. I have however enjoyed some other productions of this one more.