McVicar is renowned for his gloriously dark productions and his style hits exactly the right note in this black comedy of an opera.
With abduction, attempted rape and a plot twist in which the Queen of the Night turns from a wronged heroine into a conniving character of pure evil, it has all the blackness one could wish for, but the clownish, cowardly comedy of Papageno, surely the most hilariously absurd character in any of Mozart’s operas, turns the whole tale into a splendid romp.
The opera begins with a wandering prince, Tamino, being pursued by a huge snake.
When all seems lost, he is rescued by three magical ladies who are servants of the Queen of the Night.
As a result, Pamino is entrusted the task of rescuing the Queen’s daughter, Pamina, from the supposedly wicked Sarastro who has kidnapped her.
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He is to be assisted in that task, albeit highly unwillingly, by Papageno, the Queen’s bird-catcher, who longs to snare a woman of his own.
Indeed, the promise of eventual success in his search for a mate is the only thing that enables him to overcome his great distaste for risk or exertion of any kind.
In the current production, the role of Papageno is superbly played by English baritone Roderick Williams who displays fabulous comic timing throughout.
He also introduces many comic touches of his own which, together with a few delightful tweaks by revivals director Thomas Guthrie, produces a perfect balance between humour, mysticism and drama.
Papageno comes close to stealing the show, but he receives excellent support from a glorious cast.
French soprano Sabine Devieilhe sails through the Queen of the Night’s notoriously difficult arias in magnificent style.
The fast passages and intimidatingly high notes cause problems for most singers, but Devieilhe sang magnificently and beautifully.
Just as the Queen of the Night has to be dominating and venomous, her daughter Pamina should be vulnerable and loving but strong enough to face up to danger.
Australian soprano Siobhan Stagg was pure delight in the role to which she brought a deliciously clear voice and fine acting skills.
Add Mika Kares’s booming bass in the role of Sarastro and Peter Bronder’s particularly vile protrayal of the evil Monostatos and it all adds up to a glorious night’s entertainment.
The whole thing was held together by purposeful conducting from Julia Jones who kept up the momentum and spirit of both the story and the music.
Full marks to Mozart, Roderick Williams and the puppeteer who handled the hilarious movements of the bird Papageno chases when he first appears, and very high marks to everyone else.
A splendid revival of a great production of a wonderful opera.
Box Office: roh.org.uk or 020 7304 4000 (In production until October 14).
The performance on Wednesday September 20 will be relayed live to cinemas round the world.
Do get to see it if you have the chance.
For details, see www.roh.org.uk/cinemas