The Magic Flute comes to Liceu under baton of Gustavo Dudamel

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's classic The Magic Flute comes to Barcelona's Gran Teatre del Liceu from June 20 to July 2, under the baton of conductors Gustavo Dudamel and Paolo Bortolameolli.

Dudamel, one of the classical world's most well-known and charismatic figures, will direct all performances except for those on June 27 and July 1, overseen by his colleague Bortolameolli.

David McVicar's production, first realized in London in 2003, highlights the symbolism of Mozart's ever-popular final opera in a fairytale setting of dancing animals and starry skies.

McVicar highlights the children's story within: puppets are used for the first bird that catches Papageno and the snake that threatens Tamino, while the Queen of the Night (a notoriously difficult role to sing) "emerges from the darkness as if she were Snow White's evil stepmother in the Disney classic."

Tenor Javier Camarena makes his debut as Tamino in the lead role, accompanied by a cast including Lucy Crowe, Serena Sáenz, Kathryn Lewek, Sara Blanch, Matthias Goerne and Mercedes Gancedo.

The Magic Flute is considered by some to be a children's story and for others a profound meditation on life and death. Mozart's opera is a referential work, but also a personal undertaking, where the composer expressed his deep spiritual beliefs.

The Royal Opera House production will also feature the Chorus of the Gran Teatre del Liceu (Pablo Assante, director) and the Amics de la Unió children's choir (Josep Vila Jover, director), alongside the venue's resident symphony orchestra.

Illustrious but cursed Liceu

Barcelona's illustrious Liceu opera house celebrated its 175th anniversary with a gala concert in April.

It is one of the crown jewels of Catalan culture and has hosted the biggest names in classical music and opera over the last 175 years.

But locals will also tell you that the venue is said to be cursed, and it is true that it has suffered several unfortunate events during its long history.

Listen to the podcast below on dark tales from Barcelona's Old Town to find out more.