The Magic Flute at Estonian National Opera

About the Event

Seize this opportunity at the beautiful Estonian National Opera in Tallinn to experience the breathtaking new opera performance of Mozart's The Magic Flute.

Estonian National Opera

The Estonian National Opera company, established in 1870, presents a wide range of operas, operettas, ballets, and musicals.

The opera house itself was constructed in 1913 as the initiative of the 'Estonia' song and drama society. At the time, this Art Nouveau structure was the largest in Tallinn. During the Second World War, the theater was destroyed. Restored in the 1950s under Soviet rule, the architects kept the original facade, but the rest of the building combines Neoclassical and Stalinist elements.

The Magic Flute

The Magic Flute is a singspiel opera in two acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The premiere took place on 30 September 1971 at the Theater uaf der Wieden in Vienna, two months before the composer died. On the first impression, the Magic Flute seems as a comical fairytale opera where the good triumphs over the evil. But in fact, it is a deep philosophical work, influenced by Enlightenment ideas, that depicts the image of a fair state.

Act 1
In ancient times, in Egypt, this is an imaginary story. Prince Tamino is attacked by a big serpent. But, three ladies who are the servants of the Queen of the Night save him. Three ladies show him a portrait of the queen’s daughter, Pamina, and Tamino falls in love with her eventhough he has not even met her. The Queen of the Night promises her daughter to him, if he can rescue Pamina who is enslaved by the evil Sarastro. Tamino decides to rescue her, and is given a magic flute by the three lady servants. There is a man, Papageno who is a bird catcher. Incidentlly, he follows Tamino, and is also given magic bells by the ladies.
By the power of the magic flute and bells, Tamino finally gets to meet Pamina. They fall in love with each other immediately. In fact, Sarastro is not an evil man, but an high priest. He has protected Pamina from her mother who is filled with ambition to dominate the world.

Act 2
Sarastro imposes three tests on Tamino to get his lover, Pamina. The first test is “Silence.” When Tamino falls silent, Pamina who knows nothing feels sorrow, but they can endure this test. The scond test is “Fire,” and the third test is “Water.” They can overcome these tests through the power of the magic flute.
In addition, Papageno is also tested to get his unseen lover. Papageno is not able to endure the tedts. He can’t pass his tests. However, he can meet his lover, Papagen“a” through the power of the magic bells. Papageno falls in love with Papagena.
On the other hand, Pamina’s mother, the Queen of the Night is furious. She tries to break into the temple of Sarastro. But, she is hit by a thunderbolt, and goes to hell.
In the end, Sarastro blesses Tamino and Pamina for overcoming their tests.

Practical Information

- Sung in German with subtitles in Estonian and English
- Recommended age 10+

Cast / Production

CONDUCTOR & MUSIC DIRECTOR
Arvo Volmer

STAGE DIRECTOR
Vilppu Kiljunen

DESIGNER
Kimmo Viskari

LIGHTING
Anton Kulagin