By Angela E. Pometto
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 4/7/05)

Love is tested by fire in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s "Die Zauberflöte" or "The Magic Flute," presented by the Washington National Opera. The creative sets and costumes bring to life the opera that first premiered in 1791. The performances by the lead singers resound grandly through the opera hall.

The young prince Tamino (Michael Schade) faints when he is attacked by a dragon. He is saved by the three attendants (Barbara Quintiliani, Maria Jooste and Ann McMahon Quintero) to the Queen of the Night (Lorraine Ernest). When he wakes, Tamino is greeted by the Queen’s birdcatcher, Papageno (Russell Braun), and they become friends. The queen’s attendants return and show Tamino a portrait of the queen’s daughter, Pamina (Andrea Rost), who is being held captive by Sarastro (Kwangchul Youn). Tamino falls instantly in love with Pamina, so he and Papageno set off to rescue her, armed only with Tamino’s magic flute and Papageno’s magic bells.

Pamina is rescued from the evil servant Monostatos (Robert Baker), but before she and Tamino are able to be together, Sarastro returns and sends them into the temple where their love will be tested.

Within the temple, Sarastro promises that if they complete the challenges, each will be rewarded with true love: Tamino with Pamina, and Papageno with the mysterious Papagena (Amanda Squitieri). The two men are instructed to take a vow of silence, something Papageno finds extremely difficult. Tamino’s silence makes Pamina believe he no longer loves her. As she begins to despair, three spirits (Jennifer Adler, Chris Stull and Adam Faruqi) come to encourage her. The lovers pass the first test, but Tamino and Pamina must conquer the darkness before light can prevail.

With Conductor Heinz Fricke leading the music, Ernest’s role as Queen of the Night showcases her vocals as she eases her way through difficult arpeggios and hits the high notes. The lead lovers Schade and Rost provide command performances, and the bass tones of Youn are impressive.

Director Stanley M. Garner pulls together complicated sets and ornate costumes, designed by Gerald Scarfe. The large sets and the costumes of Sarastro and the temple priests feel Egyptian amid the German-speaking characters. Other costume challenges include Papageno and Papagena as well as an entourage of animals that respond to the magic flute. The colorful animals are not quite right — like a penguin with an alligator head or an ostrich with the head of a giraffe. Despite the strange twists, they still make for an entertaining scene.

"The Magic Flute" runs through April 17 at the Kennedy Center. For information call 202/295-2400 or go to www.dc-opera.org.