London and The Magic Flute

Hubby and I spent Saturday in London. We started out early with some sightseeing and a visit to the Guildhall Art Gallery. This was followed by lunch at Cote Restaurant where I again had to have the tasty Breton Chicken with mushroom sauce, rocket and french fries. Nom!

Then onto the main event - 'The Magic Flute' at the English National Opera, which was amazing! The opera opens with Prince Tamino being rescued from a serpent by three ladies in the employ of the Queen of the Night. As they leave, arguing over their love for Tamino, Papageno the bird-catcher arrives and claims he killed the serpent. The ladies return and padlock Papageno's mouth for his lie. They show Tamino a portrait of Princess Pamina, the Queen's kidnapped daughter, and he immediately falls in love. The Queen appears and orders Tamino and Papageno to save Pamina. With a magic flute and silver chimes issued by the ladies, they begin their hunt for her. By the opera's end, Tamino encounters a magician, tames wild animals and undergoes very Masonic-like trials, while his bird-catching sidekick finds a true love of his own. The Prince and Princess overcome the forces of darkness and literally enter the Temple of Light.

I loved the costumes worn by the Queen of the Night and her three ladies. The whole ensemble had fantastic voices accompanied by the marvellous orchestra. So, that was my first visit to the opera. Many thanks to very generous family for the opera vouchers we received last Christmas. :)