Saturday night at LA Opera was special for a number of reasons. First, it was opening night for Mozart’s The Magic Flute, a beloved opera that is among the most frequently performed. Second, it was a revival of the fan-favorite animated production, which we wrote about in 2013 and 2016. Third, it was a celebration of James Conlon’s 20-year tenure as music director, which wraps up with this final production of LA Opera’s 2025/2026 season.
Production directors Barrie Kosky (of Berlin’s Komische Oper 2012-22) and Suzanne Andrade (of the British theater company 1927) were inspired by the 1920s silent film era when they created this production with animation designer Paul Barritt (also of 1927), but they also let their imaginations run wild. The projected hand-drawn animations, which the singers interact with throughout the fairytale love story, include indelible, surreal images such as dancing owls, flying pink elephants, and a hot air balloon piloted by a giant moth and carrying butterfly children. The magic flute is brought to life as a fairy who spreads musical notes in her wake.
Depicted as a gigantic skeleton-bodied spider, the Queen of the Night was a showstopper — and so was Aigul Khismatullina, making her LA Opera debut. The audience went bonkers for her coloratura arias.
All of the singers were phenomenal, never once overshadowed by the fantastic visuals. Sydney Mancasola returned as Pamina, while Miles Mykkanen and Kyle Miller made their LA Opera debuts as Tamino and Papageno. Many of the talented cast are members or alumni of the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program. The child soloists from Los Angeles Children’s Chorus deserve a special shout-out for their heavenly voices, heard each time they helped guide a character toward love and away from despair.
Of course, Mozart’s exceptional and melodic music is the main character. And as always, Conlon and the orchestra were impeccable. Conlon and the musicians clearly enjoyed every note, from the playful to the dramatic.
If you haven’t seen this production, go! It’s inventive, surreal and utterly enjoyable. This Flute is indeed magic.
During curtain calls, a boom was heard and confetti began falling over the audience. On each piece was printed “James Conlon 20 Years.” It was a bittersweet moment, the end of an era. But not an end. LA Opera is ready to celebrate with Carmen and new music director Domingo Hindoyan this fall. Looking forward to more magic.
—Julie Riggott, Culture Spot LA
The Magic Flute continues through June 21 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. For tickets and more information, visit laopera.com.
Photo credits:
Miles Mykkanen as Tamino in LA Opera’s 2026 presentation of The Magic Flute. (Photo: Cory Weaver)
Aigul Khismatullina (top) as the Queen of the Night and Sydney Mancasola as Pamina in LA Opera’s 2026 presentation of The Magic Flute. (Photo: Cory Weaver)