Mozart: Die Zauberflöte / Streit · Bonney · Jo · Cachemaille · Sigmundsson · Hagegard · Drottningholm Court Theatre · Östman
There's magic in these musical hills, as conductor Kurt Östman leads an exemplary performance ofDie Zauberflöteon original instruments.Sumi Jo's breathtaking Queen of the Night is the queen of intonation, while Barbara Bonny's Pamina is a phrasing angel, from her pianissimo B flats to her gentle, yet heartfelt, "Ach ich fühl's." Singing as comfortably as a folk singer, Kurt Streit's lyrical, yet dramatic, Tamino is manly and heroic. Gilles Cachemaille is an appropriately charming Papageno, and all supporting performances are stellar. This crystal-clear interpretation must be as close to perfection as Mozart probably dreamed. A true treasure.--Barbara Eisner Bayer