This quote from the notes to The Magic Flute is the assumption upon which this rather opaque and disappointing production is based. Miller based his production in "the years between the two World Wars when, like their 18th-century predecessors, men of good will gathered in European hotels...and did what they could to establish a peaceful harmony under the auspices of what we now know was the ill-fated League of Nations."

The link between the League of Nations and Mozart's Masonic ode has to do primarily with the fact that both seem to embody the themes of fraternity and enlightenment. Unfortunately, Miller failed to consider if the plot of The Magic Flute, as odd as it is, would make sense when all action takes place inside a hotel and the characters are dressed like elegant thirties socialites.

Had he considered this, he surely would not have staged this production. Fortunately for me I had previously listened to the opera with the libretto and had done a little reading on the plot; had I not, I think I would have been lost most of the time. The most ridiculous moment came during the trials by fire and water. A group of "beautiful people" stood at the top of a staircase leading offstage, sipping drinks and chatting, while Tamino and Pamina, equally well dressed in tuxedo and evening gown, walked down the stairs and came up an identical set on the other side of the stage. Not only was the meaning of the scene lost, but so was the plot.

Other than the production, the performances were very good. I thought that the singers in the roles of Pamina and Papageno were especially good--both did a wonderful job of singing and acting. Papageno was very funny without being ridiculous.

The orchestral performance was satisfactory, although the playing was too soft much of the time and I felt that the tempos were sluggish.