Clément Cogitore's Dark and Complex 'Magic Flute' at Aix Festival

At the 2026 Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, director Clément Cogitore presents a somber and intricate staging of Mozart's 'Die Zauberflöte', running July 2–21 at the Théâtre de l'Archevêché. The production, conducted by Leonardo Garcia-Alarcon leading Cappella Mediterranea on period instruments, departs from traditional interpretations by eschewing a clear-cut battle between good and evil. Instead, Cogitore uses a minimalist set with central video projections evoking post-war 1950s-60s reconstruction, showing war devastation, abandoned children, and later standardized suburban happiness. The initiation of Tamino and Pamina is portrayed as a transition from childhood to adulthood, with child and adolescent actors doubling the singing roles. Tamino is sung by Swiss tenor Mauro Peter, Pamina by Chinese soprano Ying Fang, who received an ovation. The Queen of the Night is performed by French soprano Sabine Devieilhe, portrayed as a loving mother rather than a majestic ruler. American baritone Sean Michael Plumb brings humanity as Papageno, with Canadian soprano Emma Fekete as Papagena. British bass Brindley Sherratt plays Sarastro as a blind businessman. The production received a mixed reception: musically praised but scenically controversial, with the creative team notably absent from the post-premiere bow.