History Theatre / TheMagicFlute

* HappilyEverAfter: Everything works out fine the lead and beta couples (and not for the villains).

''The Magic Flute'' has been made into three movies (as well as numerous filmed stage performances). ''Trollflöjten'' (1975), a Swedish translation filmed by Creator/IngmarBergman, was a semi-surrealist, NoFourthWall fantasy which shows not only the audience, the stage and the theatre, but how the singers kill time while offstage. It is now part of Creator/TheCriterionCollection. ''The Magic Flute'' (2006), directed by Creator/KennethBranagh with a new English translation by Creator/StephenFry, is more traditional, aside from being [[RecycledInSpace set during]] UsefulNotes/WorldWarI. For more information on these first two films, go [[Film/TheMagicFlute here]]. The third adaptation, directed by Florian Sigl, was released in Germany in 2022; it follows a young student named Tim who is whisked into the world of the opera, where he becomes Prince Tamino and lives out the story alongside the classic characters.

* BadassBaritone: Subverted: Papageno is a baritone, and the [[SensitiveGuyAndManlyMan Sensitive Guy]] to TenorBoy Tamino's Manly Man.

* [[LukeIAmYourFather Pamina I Am Your Father]]: Sarastro is sometimes played with this angle, [[DependingOnTheWriter depending on the director]]. Russell's comic makes it explicit. The thing is, though, the libretto has the Queen telling Pamina: "Ever since your father died, my power has been dwindling." She ''could'' be speaking metaphorically... but so much attention is given to her famous aria (the one everyone and their dog knows), which follows right after. Plus, the scene is usually shortened.[[note]]But then, [[Franchise/StarWars Luke Skywalker]]'s father died, FromACertainPointOfView.[[/note]] Sarastro is presumably ''some'' relation to Pamina, though, or he would have no right to take her from her mother. If he isn't her father, he may be her uncle (father's brother) -- or even her ''grandfather''. Also, the libretto states clearly that Pamina's father gifted the Sevenfold Circle of the Sun to the initiates on his deathbed, and that Sarastro wears it around his neck. The Queen of the Night is justifiably angry about it all. It would appear that the King may want to preserve gender-separation of the sun talisman (and maintain the balance of day and night) by donating the artifact to Sarastro..

* SettingUpdate: The opera is supposed to take place in ancient Egypt, but apart from the Egyptian god references, the libretto is open enough to be adapted into ''any'' setting, thanks to its fairytale elements. Past productions have placed the story in medieval times, the classical period, a 1920's hotel, a classroom, a futuristic sci-fi world, and even an old black-and-white movie, just to name a few.

* CreepyChild: Some adaptations make the three boys into this. It's rather easy to do since they're played [[CreepyHighPitchedVoice child sopranos]] and there isn't much context as to who they are other than spirits sent by the Queen of the Night to guide Tamino and Papageno in their quest. [[spoiler: It will be ultimately averted though as they aren't EvilAllAlong like the Queen and her ladies.]]

* PlayingGertrude: Many a soprano sings the Queen of the Night first before later taking on the role of Pamina. There’s a reason for this: Men and women's voices fully mature at different ages (women around 20, men around 35), and different voice types work within different age constraints. Coloratura soprano roles like the Queen require an agile, athletic kind of voice, which is much more common in younger singers. Lyric soprano roles like Pamina, however, are more suitable for an interpretative artist, and that is much easier for someone with years of experience under her belt. However, lighter coloratura voices who take on the Queen of the Night role lack the dramatic fire that a Dramatic or Lyric Coloratura can bring to the part.