Mozart’s The Magic Flute
The Fire Station, Bristol
The Fire Station, Bristol
On Saturday we wandered down to one of Bristol's most dynamic and intimate venues: The Fire Station. We had the pleasure of seeing the last matinee performance of Bristol Operatic Society putting on Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’ using Edward Dent's 'English Libretto' . It was my first operatic experience and I am incredibly grateful that this whimsical fairytale was performed in English, because I wouldn't have wanted to miss out on the wonderfully enchanting narrative!
The performance was not only sugar to the ears, but visually entrancing thanks to the simple screens drawing from ukiyo-e art and the exquisite costumes and make up, which were all inspired by Japanese mythology. The attention to detail and the flawless performance really demonstrated the effort put into the performance over the last 5 months by the dedicated students.
The Queen of the Night played by an infinitely talented soprano gave the most electrifying solos throughout, which reached spectacular notes, which pierced our very conscious! The lead female Pamina was as delicate in appearance as with her hauntingly beautiful voice. The male roles were all incredibly well performed across a diverse vocal range, especially the character Papageno who shone through - not only a skilled singer - but also as a brilliantly funny actor. The orchestra were truly spectacular and our proximity to the musicians made the whole experience all the more captivating.
The performance was not only sugar to the ears, but visually entrancing thanks to the simple screens drawing from ukiyo-e art and the exquisite costumes and make up, which were all inspired by Japanese mythology. The attention to detail and the flawless performance really demonstrated the effort put into the performance over the last 5 months by the dedicated students.
The Queen of the Night played by an infinitely talented soprano gave the most electrifying solos throughout, which reached spectacular notes, which pierced our very conscious! The lead female Pamina was as delicate in appearance as with her hauntingly beautiful voice. The male roles were all incredibly well performed across a diverse vocal range, especially the character Papageno who shone through - not only a skilled singer - but also as a brilliantly funny actor. The orchestra were truly spectacular and our proximity to the musicians made the whole experience all the more captivating.
For a mere £6 I feel so grateful to have finally been so beautifully introduced to the magical realm of the performing arts that is Opera. I'm now buzzing for my next hit, whether it be at the rather more traditional venues of London's Royal Opera House, New York's Metropolitan Opera or perhaps another equally imaginative venue in Bristol.
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