The Magic Flute by Mozart

Last week I saw live opera for the first time ever thanks to Dublin City Council’s Opera In The Open series.

Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’ was the first in a series of five outdoor operas taking place over the month of August in the amphitheatre at Wood Quay Civic Offices as Darragh told you all last week.

The place was packed out by the time I got there at 12.45pm despite the 1pm start and I took a spot on the grass. The set was non-existent and the costumes were basic, probably in a very similar vein to very early travelling actor troupes. We were given the bare bones of the story before Act One and Act Two. You have Prince Tamino, trying to rescue Pamina, Queen of the Night and having to go through many ordeals to do so, Papageno and Papagena finally being united as lovers just moments from Papageno’s suicide attempt, magic, snakes, drama it was all there. A great show from six singer/actors playing all of the parts - each and every one of them were outstanding.

These are my favourite parts, Queen of the Night, this girl’s singing gave me goosebumps!

And then you had Sarastro, the complete opposite in every way

(Unfortunately the video angle isn’t great, I was limited in where I could sit as it was so full when I got there)

Tomorrow, Thursday, the second Opera In The Open will take place and it is to be Handel’s ‘Giulio Cesare’. You can see the rest of the listings for the month here.

I’d recommend getting there as much before 1pm as you can to get a good spot