Magic Flute: Choreography

Before we went to see the Magic Flute, we went to see the Valley of Astonishment where I also observed the choreography there. I was excited to observe the choreo. of the opera and compare it with my observations from the Valley of Astonishment visit. The choreography at the Met Opera was in many ways different. The way the characters moved around the stage really reflects their personality. You have Papageno with his jumpy, clumsy movements reflecting the freedom he has being in the lower class compared to Timino’s very rigid, more reserved movements from the pressure of having to act proper and high class. You then see the choreography of bear props. I can’t imagine how heavy the props must have been or how difficult it was to control. The bears were practically flying across the stage. The movements were very flow-y and gentle, showing us the power of the magic flute and how it is was able to control and soothe the beasts of the forest. We soon got to see the magic bells in action as well. The birds that danced to the music were very fairy-like with very dainty and light footsteps. This helps to portray the bells as the dainty, very magical, fragile yet crisp sounding instrument that it is. I really enjoyed our visit to the Met Opera. It was very rewarding and prior to this class, I never knew such a place even existed.