Mozart's “Magic Flute” is a masterpiece of the 18th century that reflects the moral concepts of the time with regard to the roles of men and women. Iván Fischer wants to confront parts of this favorite opera with 21st century values. He concentrates on well-known arias and scenes: Reversed gender roles of central characters invite an unexpected new listening experience as well as reflection: Counter tenor Samuel Mariño appears as the antagonist of Deniz Uzun's Sarastra. But Iván Fischer also plays with the music itself, for example when he has the famous overture performed not only by the Konzerthausorchester but also by the Vocalconsort Berlin. 

We asked him a couple of questions about his approach.

Sarastro sings: “A man must guide your hearts, for without him every woman is wont to step out of her sphere of activity,” and the narrator: “A woman does little, chats a lot, you young man believe the play of tongues?” I think to myself at every performance: Yes, that was the moral of the 18th century. We sweep the problem under the carpet. Shouldn't we think about it and honestly confront the popular Magic Flute with moral standards of the 21. century?

Some will think that you should keep your hands off such a great masterpiece. They are right, I usually conduct the “Magic Flute” with great respect and without any changes. This is an exception. Other critics might think that I'm making fun of feminism and the interchangeability of the sexes. That it seems a bit like a parody of our time. That would be a shame, I just want to offer food for thought and initiate a discussion.

Perhaps yes, but why? These extracts are enough to get you thinking.

The Queen of the Night sings in a very high register. You can't do that with a countertenor, but it's wonderful that Samuel Marino can sing the aria a tone lower.

There are many operas in which an outdated morality can be heard. These include “Parsifal” with the figure of Kundry as the female form of Ahasuerus or the “Eternal Jew”. This anti-Semitic fabrication from a false medieval legend was misused by Wagner and later by the Nazis for their anti-Semitic ideology. Or “Così fan tutte”, which aims to prove that all women can be seduced!