Das Labyrinth

The Magic Flute Part 2? Irresistible!
Such is the supremacy and brilliance of Mozart's the Magic Flute that it's tempting to think of Peter von Winter's sequel as something of a novelty. Written in 1798, only seven years after the original, both librettos were however the work of the same man, Emanuel Schikaneder, so in reality there's no reason why Das Labyrinth (full title - Das Labyrinth or The Battle with the Elements, Part Two of The Magic Flute, a grand heroic-comic opera in two acts by Peter von Winter (shortened version)) shouldn't be seen as a legitimate work on its own terms. Rossini's Barber of Seville after all is a worthy prequel to Mozart's Marriage of Figaro since both works are drawn from the same source in the plays of Beaumarchais. De Winter's opera likewise is no novelty, but rather a fascinating work that has languished in obscurity for far too long. It's still nowhere near on a par with The Magic Flute, but then what is?

Well, it has to be said that unfortunately Das Labyrinth does...

Mozart's Ornamentation With Beethoven's Orchestration, An Exciting Mix
Updated Sept 24, 2013

In my earlier review I missed what now seems to me the most important point. Das Labyrinth is an attempt by von Winter to combine Mozart's ornamentation with Beethoven's future larger orchestra. While this makes for some very exciting music, the demands on the singers are overwhelming at times. Later, Wagner eliminated ornamentation in favor of an even larger orchestra, realizing that dramatic singing and ornamentation are not a good mix. As a sequel to Magic Flute story wise, Labyrinth is not very illuminating, however as a transition to Beethoven's Fidelio and Weber's Der Freischutz this is very exciting. With the exception of Julia Novikova's Queen of the night, this production is very well cast. Malin Hartelius as Pamina, in my opinion, is a great choice even though she is more a lyric than dramatic soprano. Her dramatic voice is not as beautiful as her lyric voice, however it is effective. In the more lyrical parts she more than...

I Have seen the original in Salzburg
and it is fabulous to have it at home.
Let us also produce Magic Flute III
I am ready, google for Wolfgang Ellenberger

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