“...the only music which might be put into the mouth of God without blasphemy.”
- George Bernard Shaw — on The Magic Flute

This spectacular modern reworking of Mozart’s breakthrough 18th century opera tells the story of a young classical singer, Tom Henderson, who is cast— against his better judgment— as the lead in a 2006 staging of The Magic Flute in Salzburg.

Mozart started his career as a composer at the age of four, when he began composing piano pieces. At the age of five he was composing minuets and by age nine he had composed his first symphony. He wrote 20 complete operas, his final and most spectacular being The Magic Flute, which he wrote in the last year of his life at age 35. Mozart was a combination of the revolutionary compositional brilliance of modern day composers such as John Lennon and Paul McCartney with the groundbreaking performance individuality of an Elvis Presley—all rolled into one. He was the ultimate iconic pop-star of the 18th century who traveled across Europe on tour, each one more outstanding than the next. Fortunately for a modern audience his genius has never faded. In celebration of his 250th birthday I wanted to capture some of his most joyous work on film, and decided that a contemporary movie version of The Magic Flute might be workable if told as the backdrop to a modern love story, conveyed on a fantastical scale.

The Magic Flute is an unparalleled masterpiece of music, and this film might be considered an epic in terms of the scope of production. Not only does the film weave between time periods, reality and the imagination, it is also Kevin Sullivan’s first significant movie to incorporate computer generated imagery with live action.

Towards the end of Mozart’s life, both his health and his wealth were failing. The Magic Flute was just the musical undertaking that Mozart desperately needed to change his fortunes… but that was not to be.

One often misunderstood aspect of Freemasonry is that historically it has been an initiatory order. To this day, Freemasons must go through certain rites of initiation before they are considered full members of the order. It is this voyage of self discovery that leads to the ultimate goal… enlightenment.

To the uninitiated, The Magic Flute would appear to be just an imaginative fairy tale, but to those with eyes to see and ears to hear, it was much more. Freemason symbols convey ideas of spiritual and personal growth and are inspired by the original operative Masons.  The uprightness of the Mason set square indicated virtue and forthrightness. The Masonic compass symbolized the ideals of friendship, morality and fraternal love and the prominent use of the number three had a significant underlying meaning, throughout the entire opera.

When Kevin Sullivan set out to make “Mozart’s Magic Flute”, he was faced with the question of how to shoot a film that takes place in Salsburg, Austria without leaving the studio and back lot in Toronto.  The answer was to use photographic visual effects.

Though Mozart is just one of many famous musicians of his time and era, there are certain elements of his personality and talent that really do set him apart.  In David Ewen’s “Opera”, he writes about the way in which Mozart differed from history’s other masters of music.

Kevin Sullivan explains the workings of Mozart’s Magic Flute Diaries’ contemporary love story, set amidst the classical setting of the famous opera.  Find out all the interesting aspects of the world Kevin has created in this behind-the-scenes video, which is narrated by the director and features input from the cast, including Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner, Batman Begins) and Warren Christie (October Road).

Although brand new versions of The Magic Flute are premiering in opera houses all over the world, the famous production actually premiered in Vienna 220 years ago. To mark this year’s special anniversary, here are some interesting facts about what some consider Mozart’s most popular work.

“Music is my life and my life is music. Anyone who does not understand this is not worthy of God.” ~ Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Mozart’s relationship with his father, Leopold, is one of the most compelling father-son relationships in history and has been dramatized on the screen and stage several times.  It is interesting that it is to his father that Mozart reveals what the modern world knows of hiLeos religious feelings and orientation.

The Sullivan Movies library is filled with a number of inspiring dramas, in addition to its beloved miniseries and television shows.  One of these films is Mozart's Magic Flute Diaries, which was recently made by Kevin Sullivan and delves into the world of opera in an entirely unique way.

Here are ten statements made by the world famous composer about life, love and genius.

“Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.”

After four decades of theatre and film directing, 86-year-old legend Peter Brooks has perhaps directed his most radical opera yet – a slimmed down, bare bones production of Mozart’s Magic Flute.

Many music lovers are of the opinion that Rebecca Black – singer of the world-ridiculed song “Friday” – has become a phenomenon simply because she released the song in the age of YouTube and viral videos.  But long before Rebecca, there were other “singers” whose fame was derived from singing badly.

Although he was a musical genius and, unlike some of his contemporaries, received much applause in his own lifetime, Mozart was still working under an unfair patronage system.  He was very much a man trying to make ends meet.  And this can be seen in the many letters he wrote to his father in the year 1781.

For the first time in music history, all of Mozart’s stage works will be performed in a row by a single opera house.  At the annual Mozart Festival in Warsaw, Poland, the city’s chamber orchestra will be performing all of the famous musician’s theatrical creations, starting with The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, Cosi Fan Tutte and The Abduction from the Seraglio.

Here are just 10 simple pieces of information about the life of Mozart that you may not know. Find out more about his family life, his reputation throughout Europe and his musical rivalries here!

Finding a way to continually reinvent one of the most famous operas in history, Mozart’s "The Magic Flute", has been a mission for artistic directors all over the world.  To turn the opera into a ballet seems unique enough, but add to that the use of shadow puppets, and you have a completely contemporary take.

In addition to the several masterpieces that Mozart would undoubtedly have created had he lived a while longer, it seems we can add church music to the list.  According to a recent article by the Huffington Post, in 1791 – the year of Mozart’s passing – the famous musician had enquired at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna as to whether he might become the chapelmaster’s assistant there.

The visual world of opera has recently been taken to new depths with its recent transformation into 3D.  The company who brought you a three-dimensional Justin Bieber in Never Say Never, RealD, has collaborated with the Royal Opera House in London’s Convent Garden to bring viewers a 3D version of Georges Bizet’s famous opera, Carmen.

Eight p.m. tonight will officially mark the 255th year since Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was first brought into the world, changing the face of music forever.  The events surrounding his birth were recounted by John Irving in The Treasures of Mozart.  They are as follows:

Enjoy the following excerpt from the libretto of The Magic Flute, as adapted by Kevin Sullivan in his film Mozart's Magic Flute Diaries.  The full version of the opera’s libretto can be found in Mozart’s The Magic Flute Diaries Official Movie Companion.

Quirky research news related to Mozart has repeatedly crossed our path within the last couple of months.  A number of different news sites in 2010 reported some fascinating news about Mozart’s music.  Apparently, it helps break down sewage.

Considering all of the famous composers that came before and after Mozart’s lifetime, it is telling that his music seems to be in the forefront of people’s minds when they think of classical music.  But what exactly is it about Mozart’s music that people gravitate toward and hold as a testament of true greatness?

In keeping with Kevin Sullivan’s vision of transporting the world of opera to the big screen with his film Mozart’s Magic Flute Diaries, it seems the Metropolitan Opera has also made great lengths in promoting the visual world of opera, according to Variety.

As the end of the year approaches, we thought we’d take a look back at the most popular blogs on our Mozart site this year. Here is a countdown of the articles that readers found most intriguing!

Mozart’s connection to the Freemasons adds an extra element of interest to all of his most famous works.  And "The Magic Flute" is considered to be his most Masonic opera in structure and story.  This, in part, has to do with the number 3 – it springs up in the musical harmony and plot of the opera, and has a significant meaning for the opera as a whole.

On this day, 219 years ago, Mozart’s beloved opera, The Magic Flute, premiered in Vienna.  Mozart conducted the orchestra himself at the Freihaus-Theater auf der Wieden.  The opera, which is set to a German libretto written by the actor and manager of the Friehaus Theater, Emanuel Schickaneder, is believed to be his finest work. 

Today, art scenes often grow from the independent artists who make their way based on increasing popularity among the people.   However, the art scene in 18th century Salzburg was largely dependent on the people who already ruled the land – namely, the prince-archbishop.

Anyone who was ever played Mozart’s music – as an amateur musician, trained professional, or appreciative listener – can attest to the hold his original melodies place on your mind throughout the duration of the piece, and well after.  Even as a young piano player, making my way through Mozart’s sonatas in preparation for recitals and examinations, I remember thinking that if I could do justice to just one of the many compositions from various artists that I would be playing, I would like to do justice to his.

It wasn’t just musicians and royalty that basked in Mozart’s creative genius.  Philosophers did as well.  Daines Barrington, an English philosopher, got to directly observe the way music could spontaneously slip through Mozart’s fingers and unfold in on-the-spot masterpieces. 

 Out of the extensive research that was done during the making of Kevin Sullivan's feature film Mozart's Magic Flute Diaries, a side-project was born - the documentary, Mozart Decoded. 

Rutger Hauer has one of the most recognizable faces in the film industry. As an actor, Hauer has played everything from action heroes to romantic leads to famous villains.  His recent collaboration with Kevin Sullivan on the film, Mozart’s Magic Flute Dairies, had him playing the role of Dr. Richard Nagel – a famous musicologist who is forced to train a young musical diva in the role of Pamina in Mozart’s opera.

The name of one of the world’s most beloved musicians was actually rarely used by the musician himself.  A common misconception is that Mozart referred to himself as “Wolfgang Amadeus”.  Here is a look at the meaning behind the artist’s many names.

While fans of Mozart’s music may be aware of the complexities of his operas, there may be some who would like a simple guide as to what these famous titles actually entail.

While the focus has often been on the amount of inspiration Mozart has given to all musicians who came after him, it is interesting to note the classical musicians that Mozart himself admired.

Mozart’s connection to the Freemasons - a fraternity dedicated to spreading enlightenment values and intellectual liberalism - apparently ran deeper than politics.  His appreciation for this brotherhood can also be found in his music.

Certain rivalries between Mozart and his contemporaries performing in Europe was an ever present fixture in the life of the famous composer.

Historically, the idea of a patronage system involved a wealthy or connected adviser sponsoring the works of another artist.  Famous examples include the Medici family of Florence or the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches that commissioned great works of art for cathedrals.  However, the patronage system under which Mozart worked for a time was a system of employment that was both necessary for the maintenance of his career, but as the musician himself saw it, an evil.

Have you ever wondered what happens after an actor’s big role in a high performance film? Mireille Asselin, who played one of the leading roles in Mozar'ts Magic Flute Diaries, has taken on a few major roles since that production.

Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Warren Christie came to Canada at a young age. His family and he moved to London, Ontario and he then attended the University of Windsor on a football scholarship. Even though he loved football, he realized his true talent and joy was acting.

From the time Mozart was born his father worked with him closely to grasp the art of music. Mozart had very little problem learning how to play the piano.  He was composing music by the age of five.

One of the most beloved composers of France was Jacques Offenbach. He composed over 100 love story operas such as La Belle Helene, The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein and La Perichole. However, his ultimate goal was to create something dark, dreamy and more serious. He always seemed to play out performances that were matched with lots of love.

One of the most frequent performed operas across the world is The Marriage of Figaro. Why? Well there are many reasons so many people around the world enjoy this opera, but the main reason is because it is paired with Mozart’s brilliant love for music to its array of sparkling loveliness and charm that flows within it.

One of the most fascinating operas of all time was the Fidelio. It was a long progress to create the finishing touches of this opera, since it was composed by Beethoven not once, but four times. This was also Beethoven only opera that he ever created in his life. Though during his final stages of the opera, when Beethoven was dying, but he wrote to a friend saying, " Of all my children, this is the ones that cost me the worst birth-pangs and brought me the most sorrow; and for that reason it is the one most dear to me."

There are a select number of artists and intellects in history that can actually be called child prodigies.  They reached unbelievable potential in their earliest years and not only maintained their genius, but allowed it to grow as they grew.  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is one of those child prodigies.  But what effect did this have on all those who knew - and raised - him?

Magic Flute Diaries was based on the opera, “The Magic Flute” by W.A Mozart. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was among the most enduringly popular classical composers. He composed over 600 works of music and showed prodigious abilities since his early childhood years.