THE MAGIC FLUTE

A favorite Mozart opera presented in a retelling by a master of the picture book who is also an opera lover.

Nobles fall in love, and commoners fall in love. A Queen of the Night and a king of the day rule their kingdoms. Snakes and lions appear, as do Wise Boys and Temple Priests. Characters face trials and tribulations in order to prove their worthiness. Folk are not necessarily what they first appear to be. The titular instrument, bells, and horns sound their beautiful notes. And at the conclusion of this frequently performed and very melodic musical comedy, “Beauty and wisdom are crowned!” In this labor of love, Raschka begins by (thank goodness) providing a cast of characters. Each scene of the two acts is introduced in regular typeface while graphic panels in fluid watercolors, replete with hand-lettered conversation bubbles, provide close-ups of the quickly moving action. The performers vary in color from stark white to green to midnight blue. Raschka’s art, in vibrant yellows, blues, and greens, is more than an accompaniment, turning his staging into a stellar performance of dialogue and scenic design. This last opera composed by Mozart, really a singspiel, is often presented with colorful costumes and a host of puppets. Reading this title and listening to the music are the perfect introduction to an enjoyable family outing.

Love, adventure, and enchantment artfully cast their spell.