The production is very well known (it is available on video) and works remarkably well. The audience had a lot of fun and that is important specially in The Magic Flute where I've seen many productions the audience sleeping or not laughing and enjoying. The only scene that did not work well was the exchange between the Sprecher and Tamino. This is a key scene in The Magic Flute and needs a lot of good acting (and singing) on the singers' part (the singing was good but the acting was routine). The scene where Tamino plays the flute and the animals gather dacing around him was marvellous, the Queen of the Night appearance (in the First Act) and the Trials (at the end of second Act).

Michael Schade sang very well and had no trouble projecting his (small) voice in this large house (I was on one of the last rows of the Family Circle). He is an experienced Tamino and although not realizing the poetry needed for the first aria ("Die Bildnis"), sang the role with youthful ardor and limpid tone.

It was Esther Heideman debut in the MET. She has a small voice and had trouble in the First Act mainly projecting her voice well in the house but by the second Act she had warmed up considerably and seemed more relaxed. She still needs to deepen her interpretation of the role which was pretty standard but sang well enough, her voice is very pure and she was capable of some ravishing notes (the phrase "Tamino mein" at the Trials in the second Act) and sang the aria "Ach ich fulls" well. She is bound to be a good asset for Mozart operas at the MET.

Mary Dunleavy was the star of the night. She was impressive indeed, the voice rang freely at the vast house, the coloratura was precise and the high notes were just marvellous. I don't understand why so many people complained about her two years ago in the MET broadcast, she is a sensational Queen of the night !

Gerard Finley was a good Papageno and sang well.

Eric Halfvarson was a good Sarastro, has all the low notes and knows the role very well.

John Cheek was a weak Sprecher. The role is too low for him I think and needs a more penetrating tone than he has to offer.

Sebastian Weigle conducted very well, caring for the singers also. The orchestra was superb and so was the chorus.

All in all, a very pleasant night at the MET.