Die Zauberflote [The Magic Flute] (complete opera recorded in 2001)

Picture format: NTSC 16:9
Sound format: PCM Stereo / Dolby Digital 5.1
Region code: 0 (worldwide)
Subtitles: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Running time: 158 mins

"A Paris National Opera production of The Magic Flute in German sounds like an unlikely prospect, yet the stage settings are beautifully rich and imaginative, as are the costumes. Dorothea Roeschmann as Pamina is outstanding; Detlef Roth and Gaele Le Roi as Papageno and Papagena, respectively, also turn in sparkling performances, superb audio quality and first-rate cinematography notwithstanding." (Giv Cornfield)

"As is quite often the case, this enchanting production has taken far too long to reach DVD, originating back in 2001. Conceived by the late Swiss stage director and Brecht disciple Benno Besson, this is the sort of evening that really puts the 'magic' back into The Magic Flute. Apart from a few modern dress touches, it's basically a production that Mozart would have recognised, and is none the worse for it. Dorothea Röschmann's Pamina is wonderfully fresh, light of voice yet beautifully focused. This is a role she is now fully identified with, going on to record it with Abbado - his award-winning DG set - and Colin Davis at Covent Garden. The baby-faced Tamino of Piotr Beczala suits her to perfection, and his ringing tenor is a pleasure to hear. This is as good as any I've come across in recent times." (Music Web March 2008)

Recorded at the Opéra National de Paris, 2001

Sarastro - Matti Salminen
Tamino - Piotr Beczala
An Elderly Priest [Speaker] - Wolfgang Schöne
The Queen of Night - Désirée Rancatore
Pamina - Dorothea Röschmann
First Lady - Cécile Perrin
Second Lady - Helene Schneiderman
Third Lady - Hélène Perraguin
Papageno - Detlef Roth
Papagena - Gaële Le Roi
Monostatos - Uwe Peper