Mozart - Die Zauberflöte - Gedda, Deutekom, Sotin - SteinTamino: Nicolai Gedda, Pamina: Edith Mathis, Sarastro: Hans Sotin, Königin der Nacht: Cristina Deutekom, Papageno: William Workman, Papagena: Carol Malone, Monostatos: Franz Grundheber, Speaker: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, 2 Men in Armour: Helmut Melchert, Kurt Moll
Directed by Peter Ustinov, done by the Hamburg State Opera, conducted by Horst Stein.
This splendid monaural, colorful-if-a-bit-grainy film of Mozart's Die Zauberflöte was made at the Hamburg State Opera in 1971 and I believe this is the first time it has been made available. Rolf Liebermann was the company's intendant at the time and he was brilliant, gathering casts, designers, and directors that were the world's best. This Flute is directed by Peter Ustinov, and while not revolutionary in any way, it is charming, honest, and invariably true to the music. In addition, it makes the singers seem like relatively good actors.
Joachim Hess directed for TV and the camera is used as part of the action--it's never too busy but keeps us in touch with the characters--although there is an over-abundance of close-ups. The performance is lip-synched but it's only occasionally noticeable. Jean-Denis Malcles' sets and costumes are colorful and witty, with Papageno's feathers and the Queen of the Night's blazing headdress expected but good, the entrance of the Three Boys in a hot air balloon a delight, and the tamable beasts splendidly Sesame-Streetish. Dancers in green hold branches to imitate trees. And with Horst Stein's solid musical direction of the whole event, we have a fine traditional outlook for this opera.
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