Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) is one of the most well-known and most staged operas in the world. Especially the appearance of the Queen of the Night is said to be one of the most stunning coloratura arias in opera history. Piotr Beczala, acclaimed all over the world for the clarity of his light-lyric tenor, is Tamino. Matti Salminen, one of the most magnetic and sought-after bass singers in the world, offers solemnity and grace as Sarastro. Supported by a distinguished cast (Anton Scharinger as Papageno, Malin Hartelius as Pamina, Julia Neumann as Papagena and Elena Moşuc as The Queen of the Nigth), this opera promises outstanding listening pleasure. In this brilliantly conceived and executed performance singers and instrumentalists often approach perfection while providing moments of subtle beauty. Under Franz Welser-Möst’s fabulous conducting this production of the Zurich Opera House is setting musical standards. This superb audio-visual recording with its beautifully lifelike sound valorizes the high artistic quality and is an example of updating an opera using imagination and skill.