First staged here in May 1998, this enormously popular production is coming back to the New National Theatre, Tokyo. Director Michael Hampe takes an orthodox approach and is not swayed by passing fads. In the role of Sarastro is Matsui Hiroshi. Matsui, who currently lives in Germany, gave a powerful performance in the 2007 production of The Flying Dutchman. The role of Queen of the Night has gone to a relative newcomer, coloratura soprano Yasui Yoko. Tamino will be played by Stefano Ferrari, who is something of a Mozart specialist; and Pamina will be played by Camilla Tilling, who has been gracing the stages of the major threatres in the US and Europe. This will be the NNTT debut of conductor Alfred Eschwé, who has worked primarily in Vienna.
Prince Tamino hears that Pamina, the daughter of the Queen of Night, was taken by the "evil" Sarastro. When shown a picture of Pamina, he falls in love with her, and attended by Papageno, he goes to the temple of Sarastro. In reality, Sarastro is a high priestess of virtue. Tamino is told that he has to overcome various ordeals to rescue Pamina. He bravely faces these ordeals and successfully surmounts them.