Simon McBurney's Magic Flute makes a triumphant return to Dutch National Opera

Where to start when discussing Simon McBurney’s 2012 production of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, now in its third Dutch National Opera reincarnation in Amsterdam after travelling all around the world to great acclaim. Is the production really as good as everyone says? Has it managed to retain the freshness of delivery? Well, the ever-evolving production in the hands of British staging director Rachael Hewer, is an absolute delight. One could even argue that it transcends the operatic form and turns this Mozartian masterpiece into a piece of theatre, with even a hint of Shakespeare.

Curtain call for The Magic Flute — © Clare Varney

The outstanding cast taking a well-deserved curtain call on the opening night. Much elation on stage. Even more elation from the audience who immediately rose to their feet to show their appreciation.

The trailer

Dutch Baritone, Thomas Oliemans, who takes the role of Papageno, gives an insight into the thinking behind the current 2023 production of The Magic Flute from Dutch National Opera.

The Magic Flute is about overcoming yourself to maybe find love or wisdom.
And how do you do that? Well, Mozart’s answer seems to be music.
Oliemans

The history of the 2023 DNO production of Die Zauberflöte

The venue

DNO viewed from a boat — Dutch National Opera & Ballet pictured earlier this year in true Dutch style – from a boat! © Clare Varney

Inside the DNO auditorium at the interval where you can clearly see how the orchestra pit was raised with the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra as an integral part of the performance.

The cast

The aria “Ach, ich fühl’s” was one of the highlights of the evening. Chinese soprano Yang Fang had the audience in the palm of her hand.

Tamino in the capable hands of tenor Mingjie Lei. This flute was truly magical! When downloading this particular photo, my laptop crashed twice! © Bart Grietens

Rainelle Krause | Queen of the Night — Queen of the Night, coloratura soprano Rainelle Krause with Ying Fang as Pamina © Bart Grietens

The boys from the Netherlands Boys Choir © Bart Grietens

Amongst others, the depraved and pitiful figure of Monostatos, so brilliantly played by Lucas van Lierop © Bart Grietens

On-stage visual and video artistry

Blake Habermann, who also performed in the 2023 New York Metropolitan Opera production, talking about the improvisatory nature of his role, and how even his arm movements had to be choreographed.

Live sound effects

Ruth Sullivan sound effects — © Bart Grietens

Detailed and ever-changing sound effects all created onstage by the amazing Foley artist Ruth Sullivan, creating sounds for a crackling fire, gentle rain and Papageno doing up a zip!

Ruth Sullivan explains how the sound effects for this production have changed over the years

What is a Foley artist?

The joyous finale

Thomas Oliemans and Laetitia Gerads — © Bart Grietens

The evening without question belonged to the Dutch tenor, Thomas Oliemans in the role of Papageno.