Pamina is in trouble. The Queen of the Night and her three ladies have abducted her in the midst of her greatest trial. Who will help Tamino rescue her so that he can be reunited with her under the benevolent eye of Sarastro? Don’t count on Papageno.
Alexis Cregger as the Queen of the Night in Amore Opera’s Labyrinth.
He’s fallen prey to the bewitching sister of Monostatos, that cunning slave. With her marriage to Papageno in doubt, Papagena is jealous and alone; perhaps the time is ripe for Monostatos to make his move. Pamina may just have to rescue herself.
Yes, both familiar and puzzling, this is the story of a 1798 sequel to Mozart's work, called Das Labyrinth oder Der Kampf mit den Elementen (The Labyrinth, or The Battle With the Elements).
Written by violinist Peter von Winter, to text and push by Emanuel Schikaneder — Mozart's librettist, original Papageno, and enthusiastic exploiter — the work received its American premiere last week in New York by Amore Opera. It is presented alternating with Mozart's opera and a 90-minute version for families, The Magic Flute Brief.
Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim's story in the New York Times gives the rich background for this long-forgotten opera.
