Product Description This skillfully abridges adaptation of Mozart's brilliant comic opera, performed by the Gewandhaus Orchestra, will delight the whole family, with English narration specially written to guide viewers through the story. Review Brings the magic of classical music to children in ways that are easy for them to understand includes a child-friendly narrative that brings the somewhat comedic story home --Billboard MagazineClearly presented by voice-over narration that neither condescends to its youthful audience nor delves too much into the many interpretations that scholars have advanced about this symbol-laden work. Children will come away with an appreciation for the glorious music that Mozart wrote Children will be captivated by this story, filled with comic characters, captivating woodland creatures and, of course, a magic flute. --The Parents' Choice FoundationSterling performances, beautiful costumes, and mystical staging characterize this excellent production, which helpfully and respectfully introduces Mozart's operatic triumph to young viewers and novices opera-goers. --Irene Wood, Booklist- American Library Association
A**R
way better than I expected it would
This production went over very well with my music students in grades K-5, way better than I expected it would! The special effects are totally not believable, but the students did not care. How silly of me to think this might matter. The older students were able to make connections between this version of "The Heroic Journey" and others they were already familiar with from Disney.
P**N
General Music Class Success
I show this every year to my 5th grade general music classes and they love it. It's just enough to give them the feeling of a real opera without bogging down in the heavy opera stuff. I usually show half of it during one class and finish the next. I'm always pleased that they can review the story so far including the voice types for each character.
M**S
Don't waste your money
I was terribly disappointed with this DVD. The singing and staging is barely adequate, the picture, sound quality, and sound direction are all second rate. Some of the arias were cut off prematurely and the transitions into the next scene were poorly done. If your intention is to introduce young people to the story, buy one of the highly recommended DVD's and do your own commentary.
B**N
Five Stars
Wonderful, Fast Serive at a Great Price! Thanks!
L**N
Works great!
Fast delivery. Works great!
K**H
Not worth your money!!
I found this version at the library and decided to check it out. I was amazed at how bad it was. For one thing, they changed the story around which was bothersome. The singing is really bad, and I think the thing that that bothered me the most is the strange costumes (Tamino looks like an elf!) I also hated all the strange creatures that come out, instead of animals coming out when Tamino plays his flute, they have people prancing out on stage dressed as who knows what. The whole thing was just horrible, costumes, the set, everything...and a lot of times when the commentator is explaining a certain part, it'll be playing a whole different aria (or the wrong part of the aria.) The whole thing is so chopped up, and the DVD is more blurry and grainy than I've ever seen anything on DVD before. I wouldn't buy it or even waste yout time getting it from the library. You're better off buying a REAL production on DVD of the Magic Flute for your kids, such as the one at the Met with Kathleen Battle.
P**N
Kids love it
I can see what the other reviewers are saying about this DVDs weaknesses, but I am giving it 5 starts because my two kids (4-almost-5 and 2-almost-3) really love it. The first time they watched it I had to keep pausing it to answer questions but they really found it very gripping. My son was on the edge of his seat and it had just the right amount of intrigue to keep him excited but not scared. Now that they've been introduced to it I'm going to follow up by getting the fairy tale book version by Kyra Teis and a full length DVD.
C**O
Language for kids?
This was sold as a recommendation for children. It was performed in German(?). While it did have a English narrator a child couldn't follow it.
M**A
Two Stars
Review is of magic flute. It is more of a commentary on parts of the play.
Trustpilot
2 weeks ago
1 day ago
