Die Zauberflöte

Mozart's famed penultimate opera—a 1791 singspiel with Masonic overtones composed not for Vienna's aristocracy but for ordinary folk—combines solemnity and low comedy, although this 2011 production from Milan's Teatro alla Scala clearly emphasizes the serious side. The fairy-tale story contrasts Prince Tamino (Saimir Pirgu), who's torn between good and evil in his effort to seek love and enlightenment, with naïve bird-catcher Papageno (Alex Esposito), who desires nothing more than life's simple pleasures. The tempos set by conductor Roland Böer are fleet, but the overall effect lacks warmth and geniality. Some of the singing is excellent—Genia Kühmeier as Tamino's intended, Pamina, and coloratura specialist Albina Shagimuratova as her villainous mother, the Queen of Night, are particularly fine—but some soloists disappoint, with Esposito a rather severe Papageno and Peter Bronder, as the henchman Monostatos, employing little more than a toneless sprechstimme. Director William Kentridge frames the story within the context of 19th-century technology—particularly photography—using animated black-and-white rear-stage projections to represent settings and animals. While this might have looked impressive live, the camerawork lessens the effect by lurching from close-ups to wide shots. Presented in DTS 5.1 and Dolby Digital stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and LPCM stereo on Blu-ray, extras include interviews with Kentridge and Böer, and a cast gallery. An optional purchase. (F. Swietek)