PETER VON WINTER (1754-1825): Das Labyrinth.

Description: It took Emmanuel Schikaneder almost seven years to decide to cash in on his success with Mozart's Die Zauberflöte but when he did, he chose Winter whom history notes as having the ability to write in whatever genre and style was required for his current project (from opera seria and tragédie lyrique to Singspiele). Thus, he easily adopts Mozartian style for this sequel, premiered in 1798, in which Sarastro must defend his kingdom from a warring Queen of the Night, Tamino and Pamina must undergo two more trials of initiation and Monostatos tries to take Papagena away from Papageno. But there are also intimations of the Romanticism to come with Weber in this thoroughly enjoyable "heroic-comic" opera filmed live last year at a performance in the courtyard of the Salzburg Residenz. 2 DVDs. Christof Fischesser (bass), Julia Novikova, Malin Hartelius (sopranos), Michael Schade (tenor), Salzburg Bach Choir, Salzburg Festival and Theatre Children's Choir, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra; Ivor Bolton. 16:9 widescreen. Dolby Digital 5.1 or PSCM stereo. NTSC region 0. 158 min.