The Royal Opera
Jakub Hrůša
Music Director
Oliver Mears
Director of Opera
The Magic Flute
SINGSPIEL IN TWO ACTS
Sunday 12 October 2025 3pm
The 393rd performance by The Royal Opera at the Royal Opera House.
Please note that casting is subject to change up until the start of the performance. Please continue to check the website for the most up-to-date information.
Approximate Timings
The performance lasts approximately 3 hours 5 minutes, including one interval
Act I
70 minutes
Interval
25 minutes
Act II
90 minutes
Credits
- Music
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Libretto
Emanuel Schikaneder
- Conductor
Marie Jacquot
- Director
David McVicar
- Revival Director
Ruth Knight
- Designer
John Macfarlane
- Lighting designer
Paule Constable
- Movement director
Leah Hausman
- Revival Movement Director
Angelo Smimmo
The edition of Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) used in these performances is published by Bärenreiter Verlag, Kassel and supplied by Faber Music, London.
Cast
- Pamina
Lucy Crowe
replaces Julia Bullock
- Tamino
Amitai Pati
- Papageno
Huw Montague Rendall
- Queen of the Night
Kathryn Lewek
- Sarastro
Soloman Howard
- Monostatos
Gerhard Siegel
- Papagena
Marianna Hovanisyan
- First Lady
Hannah Edmunds
- Second Lady
Ellen Pearson
- Third Lady
Emma Carrington
- Speaker of the Temple
Matthew Rose
- First Priest
Harry Nicoll
- Second Priest
Wyn Pencarreg
- First Man in Armour
Stuart Jackson
- Second Man in Armour
Graeme Broadbent
- Third Priest
Nigel Cliffe
- First Child
Leo Ogungbemi
- Second Child
Eos Groen
- Third Child
Sophia Cullingford
- Children
Emilia Rose
Svyatoslav Colotelo
Nico Smith
Keturah Arusiuka-Hill
Fleur Mauxion
Emilia Ostroumoff
Lara Rose Ostroumoff
- Actors
Michael Barnes
Clare Barrett
Richard Gittins
Ángel Gutiérrez
Martin Harding
Anthony Kurt Gabel
Mai Matsuki
Jazz Morrison
Mette Nilsen
Belinda Roy
Bryony Tebbutt
Addis Williams
Corina Wuersch
Marianna Hovanisyan, Hannah Edmunds and Ellen Pearson are Jette Parker Artists
Chorus and Orchestra
- Chorus
Royal Opera Chorus
- Chorus Director
William Spaulding
- Orchestra
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Concert Master
Sergey Levitin
Extra Chorus
- Soprano
Susan Boyd
- Tenor
James Geer
- Bass
Simon Preece
Production credits
- Music preparation
Peggy Wu
Nick Fletcher
Richard Hetherington
- Keyed Glockenspiel
Susanna Stranders
- Assistant Directors
Simon Iorio
Harriet Taylor
- Language Coach
Dominik Dengler
Peggy Wu is a Jette Parker Artist
The Royal Opera
- Patron
HM The King
- Music Director
Jakub Hrůša
- Director of Opera
Oliver Mears
- Director of Casting
Peter Mario Katona
- Associate Director
Netia Jones
- Administrative Director
Cormac Simms
Synopsis
ACT I
Tamino is pursued by a monstrous serpent and falls unconscious. Three Ladies slay the monster and decide to inform their mistress, the Queen of the Night, of the Prince’s arrival. When Tamino wakes, Papageno the bird-catcher takes the credit for rescuing him. The Three Ladies punish Papageno’s lies by padlocking his mouth, and show Tamino a portrait of Pamina, the Queen’s daughter. On the Queen’s instructions, Tamino – who has fallen in love with Pamina - vows to rescue her from her evil captor, Sarastro. To protect Tamino and Papageno, the Three Ladies present them with a magic flute and magic bells, as the Three Children guide them on their way.
Papageno rescues Pamina from the lustful advances of Monostatos, and together they flee in search of Prince Tamino. At the Temple of Wisdom, the Speaker informs Tamino that Sarastro is a wise and noble ruler. Tamino plays his flute and strange animals gather around him, while Papageno’s magic bells prevent Monostatos from attacking him and Pamina again. Sarastro punishes Monostatos but informs Pamina and Tamino that they cannot be united until Tamino obtains wisdom.
Interval
ACT II
To Papageno’s dismay, Tamino has decided to undergo the trials to enter Sarastro’s brotherhood. The Three Ladies attempt to persuade the Prince and the bird-catcher to break their vow of silence but are unsuccessful. The Queen of the Night orders Pamina to kill Sarastro, threatening to disown her if she doesn’t. Sarastro reassures Pamina that love, not evil, will triumph in his sacred halls. Pamina is heartbroken when Tamino – still observing his vow of silence – shuns her. Meanwhile Papageno’s magic bells summon an old woman who turns into the woman of his dreams – Papagena! – only for her to be taken away from him.
Pamina unites with Tamino for his final trial. Aided by the magic flute, they triumph and are welcomed into the brotherhood. Longing for Papagena, Papageno contemplates suicide, when he suddenly remembers his magic bells, and they are reunited. Sarastro banishes the Queen, her Ladies and Monostatos to infinite darkness. Day has defeated night, and everyone joins in a hymn of praise.
Guidance
Suitable for ages 5+
This production contains themes of suicide.
Language
Sung in German with English surtitles, which are displayed on screens above the stage and around the auditorium.
Generous support from
Exceptional philanthropic support from Royal Ballet and Opera Principal Julia Rausing Trust
Production generously supported by Veuve Clicquot
In partnership with Rolex, Principal Partner, The Royal Opera
Further information
Digital Cast Sheets
We are working hard on our commitment towards becoming more sustainable and are striving for our net zero goal of 2035. By using digital cast sheets and e-tickets, we have reduced our paper consumption by over five tonnes per year. You can view our digital cast sheets on a computer, tablet or smartphone by scanning the QR codes displayed around the building using your smartphone’s camera app. They are also displayed on screens outside the auditoria. Cast sheets are generously supported by the Royal Opera House Endowment Fund.
Guidelines
Photography and filming are prohibited during performances in any of our auditoriums. You are welcome to take pictures throughout the rest of the building and before performances and share them with us through social media. Commercial photography and filming must be agreed in advance with our press team.
Larger bags and backpacks need to be check into our complimentary cloakrooms. Unattended bags may be removed.
Please do not place any personal belongings on the ledges in front of you. Mobile phones should be turned off and stored away safely during performances.
Only bottled water and ice cream purchased from the premises can be taken into the auditorium.
If you arrive late to the auditorium or leave during a performance, you will not be allowed back to your seat until the interval or a suitable break.
Smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere on the premises.
The safety of our visitors, staff and artists is our priority. To help us provide a comfortable experience for everyone, please be mindful of others and their personal space.
Our staff are committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect and we ask that you show them and your fellow audience members respect too. We adopt a zero-tolerance approach in response to anyone who interacts with our staff or with fellow audience members in an intimidating, aggressive or threatening manner.
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