The Magic Flute

A very good recording from 1950 in mono sound, without the spoken dialogue, features Irmgard Seefried, Anton Dermota, Wilma Lipp, Emmy Loose, and Erich Kunz, with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Herbert von Karajan. Available from amazon.com

Among more recent recordings, with spoken dialogue, is one featuring Ruth Ziesak, Uwe Heilmann, Sumi Jo, Michael Kraus, and Kurt Moll, with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Georg Solti. Available from amazon.com

William Christie conducts Les Arts Florissants in an early-instruments recording of Die Zauberflöte starring Hans-Peter Blochwitz, Anton Scharinger, Natalie Dessay, and Rosa Mannion. Available from amazon.com

On March 7, 2005, Chandos released a recording of The Magic Flute in English translation. Sir Charles Mackerras conducts the Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, New London Children's Choir, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The cast includes Simon Keenlyside as Papageno, and Barry Banks, Elizabeth Vidal, Rebecca Evans, Majella Cullagh, Sarah Fox, Diana Montague, Lesley Garrett, and John Tomlinson. The recording can be ordered from amazon.co.uk.

Opera In English - Mozart: The Magic Flute / Mackerras
arkivmusic.com

VIDEO

One of the best opera videos of all time is of The Magic Flute, directed by Ingmar Bergman in 1975. Sung in Swedish with English subtitles. Even many people who do not generally like opera can enjoy it as a film. Hakan Hagegard stands out as a very engaging Papageno. Bergman made some cuts, but, according to The Metropolitan Opera Guide to Opera on Video, they help to clarify the action. Available on VHS (for North America) from amazon.com