A great introduction to opera for young readers.
This hardback, large format book is a terrific introduction to opera for young readers 4-7 years old. The story of Mozart’s great work has been condensed and the story line changed somewhat. The book also has a short biography of Mozart and a glossary of operatic terms. The illustrations are stunning and I was thrilled to see characters reflecting different ethnicities. Each stage of the story is illustrated across a double page with the text in a colourful circle/oval and a musical note saying “Press Here”.
The tale involves a prince, a princess, a magic flute and a long running battle between the Queen of the Night and the Sun King who has taken the princess. Cool colours abound at the beginning of the book, when Prince Tamino is lost in the snowy mountains between the two kingdoms. The quick tempo of the music here reflects the chase. After being rescued from a dragon by three mysterious women, the prince and Papageno, the bird catcher, the music becomes much calmer as the danger is over.
The prince, of course, falls in love with Princess Pamina after seeing only a picture of her and sets off to rescue her singing a love song. The Queen of the Night makes a dramatic entrance matched by her aria, and the prince and Papageno are asked to rescue her daughter. They are given a magic flute, silver bells and a fairy to aid in their quest.
Now the colours change to the warm golds, yellow and reds of the Sun King’s realm, a stunning contrast to the Queen’s realm. Tamino plays the magic flute, and its gentle, happy music brings the princess to her window. However, she disdains the prince’s offer of rescue as she already has a plan to bring the war to an end.
I especially enjoyed the illustrations for the chase scene with the wonderfully drawn horses, somewhat reminiscent of Thelwell’s delightful ponies. The excitement of the chase is reflected in the fast music, as the prince runs from the guards. Next, we see the guards dancing to Papageno’s magical bells, the sound of which is made by a glockenspiel, while the princess releases the prince from his cell.
The book is very well produced and would make a wonderful Christmas gift. However, although I’m not an opera buff myself, having read a synopsis of the plot of The Magic Flute, I’m not sure that those who are would be happy with how much the plot has been altered in simplifying it for children. I understand the practical and financial imperatives in publishing but I think it is a disservice to the intelligence of children, and their parents, when famous plots are condensed to the extent they are unrecognisable.
Reviewed by Jan Kershaw
Distributed by: Murdoch Books
Released: October 2021
RRP: $ 27.99
This review is the opinion of the reviewer and not Glam Adelaide.
More News
