THE MAGIC FLUTE is the first Opera Australia production for this year and the first in artistic director Lyndon Terracini's new regime.
Although purists will loathe the edits (a popular duet has been cut) and others were overheard grumbling at interval that ''it's all about the puppets'', this production is a triumph of family-friendly programming with uncompromisingly high artistic values.
Family-friendly triumph ... Andrew Brunsdon as Tamino.Credit: Branco Gaica
Written on Mozart's sickbed in 1791, The Magic Flute is one of the sillier stories in opera - and that's saying something. But this production by the American director Julie Taymor, best known for the stage musical The Lion King, allows you to go with it completely. It fizzes with ideas and George Tsypin's breathtaking, otherworldly design and the puppets (by Taymor and Michael Curry) wouldn't be out of place in a museum of modern art.
The opening-night audience gasped when a flock of tropical birds fluttered over the heads of those in the first few rows. Later, huge bears, pink flamingoes and yet more exquisite birds danced to Mozart's ''magical bells'', leaving the audience stunned.
Commissioned by New York's Metropolitan Opera and first staged in 2004, this is a richly-imagined production, sung in modern English and performed with spoken text.
Among its young cast are future stars. Andrew Brunsdon gives a heartfelt performance as the handsome prince Tamino, who passes a number of tests to win the hand of beautiful maiden Pamina (Nicole Car).
But it is Andrew Jones who steals the show with his lusty portrayal of the zany bird catcher Papageno. Playing his turtle dove Papagena, Kiandra Howarth, just 22 and making her Opera Australia debut, is also terrific.
Parents wanting to give their kids a first taste of the Sydney Opera House should consider skipping Hairy Maclary and Friends and head straight to The Magic Flute.