This 2-CD set is performed in English and by an English cast, with Barry Banks as Tamino, Elizabeth Vidal as Queen of the Night, Rebecca Evans as Pamina, Simon Keenlyside as Papageno, Lesley Garrett as Papagena, and John Tomlinson as Sarastro. It is a studio performance, and hence acoustically controlled. In this particular interpretation, the conductor has cited historical references which indicate that the tempi for this opera were considerably faster than late twentieth-century traditional performances. Paminaís aria ìNow I know that love can vanishî (ìAch, ich fuhlísî) is particularly faster than normal, as are other movements marked Larghetto, Adagio, Andantino, and Andante. They are conducted at two slow beats per bar, rather than four or six. This different pulse throughout the opera is especially noticeable at the opening of the Overture, the duet ìA man in search of truth and beautyî (ìBei Mannernî), the Boysí first trio, Taminoís ìFluteî aria, the chorus ìO Isis and Osirisî and its following trio, the Boysí trio and Paminoís attempted suicide, and the chorale prelude featuring the Two Armed Men. Appoggiaturas are sung according to the practice of Mozartís time, with occasional improvised ornaments.
This reviewer prefers to listen to opera in its composed language, especially Mozart, whose genius and creative use of the German language is overwhelmingly apparent in The Magic Flute. Listening to it translated into English just doesnít do it justice. The tempi incorporated into this recording certainly help move the opera along, but they are very different from traditional performances of this opera. It will be interesting to see whether the increased tempi will become the new performance standard or not.
Dr. Brad Eden
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
image=http://www.operatoday.com/content/chandos_magic_flute.jpg
image_description=Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: The Magic Flute
product=yes
product_title=Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: The Magic Flute
Chandos Opera in English series
product_by=Barry Banks, Elizabeth Vidal, Rebecca Evans, Majella Cullagh, Sarah Fox, Diana Montague, Simon Keenlyside, Lesley Garrett, John Tomlinson, John Graham-Hall, Christopher Purves, Peter Bronder, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, Sir Charles Mackerras (cond.).
product_id=Chandos CHAN 3121(2) [2CDs]
price=$26.98
product_url=http://www.hbdirect.com/album_detail.php?id=551212&aff=operatoday