The Magic Flute at Lincoln Center

The last time wonder | wander | women were in NYC for Christmas was way back in 2012 when we stayed for a few days in the city to see the Rockettes Christmas special - what a treat! Now in 2021 we found ourselves at the Lincoln Center for that other jewel of the season, Julie Taymor's family-friendly production of Mozart's Magic Flute.

Julie Taymor's abridged English-language production of the Magic Flute has been a New York holiday favourite for over a decade. The Lion King director took the elements of Mozart's mythical, Masonic fantasy and dialled them up to abstraction.

Photo via The Metropolitan Opera

The Magic Flute was a two-act opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, written to a libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. It explores the themes and symbols of Freemasonry around a plot full of romance, magic, and vengeance. 

Photo via The Metropolitan Opera

The Queen of the Night's aria is particularly famous and was matched spectacularly by the voice and costumes of Kathryn Lewek, who was dressed in a moving moth-like costume held up by several stage attendants as well as herself.

Photo via The Metropolitan Opera

It was freezing and blustery but a glittering New York night. It was good to be back on Broadway after two years but the restrictions were new - proof of vaccination required for everyone, to be matched with ID, before we even presented our tickets.

But it was all worth it! It wasn't our first time at Lincoln Center by any means but it was my first time at the world-famous New York City Metropolitan Opera, the hub of the arts centre.

The theatre was gorgeous, with its modern art ceiling, red and gold drapery and dramatic architecture. We were glad we had dressed nicely, even wearing our Vivienne Tam face masks to go with the elegant interiors.

Somehow after a few years away, the glamour of the theatre seemed more special and momentous. The arts centre at night was itself an attraction to applaud and appreciate.

It turns out we were right to feel that way, because most of Broadway closed a week later due to the new COVID-19 Omicron variant. The brief night of culture and celebration felt like a promise of what was waiting if we followed precautions and played our part in keeping NYC safe.

We wish to congratulate the New York City theatre community on another wonderful season, and wish everyone a safe and healthy New Year and a happier, brighter year to come!