News and Features

What you thought of: The Magic Flute

Read what the audience and critics are saying about our semi-staged performance of The Magic Flute.

The curtain has gone up on our 90 MINUTE SEMI-STAGED CONCERT PERFORMANCE OF MOZART’S FINAL OPERATIC MASTERPIECE.

Hear from the audience and the critics about what they thought…

Audience reaction

‘It was an absolute joy to hear live voices and an orchestra again. I thoroughly enjoyed the performance, and I thought the front of house staff did a superb job.’

– Audience member

‘Stunning and fabulous – loved every minute!’

– Audience member

‘Brought tears to my eyes to see a live performance again. I thought the cast was wonderful and everybody went to extraordinary lengths to make the experience work.’

– Audience member

Thank you @glyndebourne for the most magical Magic Flute! There is nothing like being back at the opera and hearing amazing singing and playing. Thanks to the lovely ushers, too, who created a great atmosphere. My mask was wet with tears…

— Marina FrolovaWalker (@frolovawalker) November 1, 2020

Bravi tutti @glyndebourne #Themagicfllute So grateful to see such a wonderful if reduced piece. #sociallydistanced audience but take heart cast, a full house, the audience were gripped. #valuethearts #savethearts #LetTheMusicPlay pic.twitter.com/hzRHx8Sl50

— Christopher Martin C (@brixtontenor) November 1, 2020

Wonderful performances yesterday ,thank you
for such an uplifting Magic flute to keep in our mind’s eyes and ears as we head to lockdown. So sad for all.

— Gillian Newson (@gillian_newson) November 2, 2020

This was amazing- staging was creative and worked so well with social distancing. Felt very lucky to see it. Beautiful performances from the whole cast and orchestra 🧡 https://t.co/u6aMMcO5PG

— Helene Mathiesen (@HeleneSoprano) November 1, 2020

Have just left this performance. Fantastic singing and orchestral playing. What a treat to hear this amongst all the gloomy news. Impeccable infection control procedures by Glyndebourne organisation. Many thanks for putting this on.

— Roger Edward Taylor (@rogertaylor1952) November 1, 2020

What the critics are saying

‘a thoroughly engaging escape from the gloom’

– Daily Telegraph

‘The youth of most of these first-rate singers heightened feelings of happiness, regret and a gratitude that Glyndebourne was offering the real Mozartian thing.’

– The Arts Desk

‘I was entirely unprepared for the wave of emotion that hit me at the curtain call.’

– New Statesman

‘the artists radiate joy at performing live for the first time in months’

– The Stage

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement this evening, we’re confirming that our performances of The Magic Flute on Sunday 1 and Tuesday 3 November will be going ahead as planned, in keeping with Government guidelines.

Tickets are no longer on sale for performances that were due to run between Thursday 5 November and Wednesday 2 December. We will be in contact with ticket holders about these performances very soon.