Casting a spell of pure delight

The Magic Flute (Royal Opera House) Verdict: Genuinely magical

YOU would have to travel far to find The Magic Flute (or Die Zauberflote in German) better sung and acted than it is here. When this mixture of pantomime and opera works well, it weaves an exceptional spell. Two German singers are making their Royal Opera debuts. Soprano Christiane Karg is a touching Pamina who sings exquisitely and Georg Zeppenfeld, a warm-toned, dignified bass, is Sarastro.

Austrian baritone Markus Werba (pictured), with his genuine Viennese accent and comic timing, is a natural as birdcatcher Papageno.

David McVicar’s production, first seen in 2003, is often charming and John Macfarlane’s designs are generally convincing, frequently ingenious. Only the march at the start of Act Two is too legato and flabby. Cornelius Meister conducts a superb overture and keeps everything moving.