People have pondered endlessly what makes The Magic Flute so enthralling. This is very much a good thing. It is for this reason that every new staging of Mozart’s celebrated opera is a fresh discovery. The world has changed immeasurably since it was first performed in 1791. In every era since, Schikaneder’s libretto has been subject to new interpretations. Filmmakers have also taken up the baton, although most screen versions have simply been recorded stage productions. Ingmar Bergman’s film is special because, with only minor adjustments, it preserves both the story and the stage, yet it involves the audience directly. His film returns to the origins of the fairy-tale and folk opera, while encouraging the matinée audience to reflect on the experience. To make the film even more compelling, Bergman ushers the singers in closer: they must perform the work as actors too – using their voices, their gestures and their facial expressions. The work is an intimate and utterly captivating experience.

In the original language, with Hungarian subtitles.

The discussions before and after the screening will be conducted in Hungarian.

Presented by: Müpa Budapest