Celebrating Mozart's The Magic Flute

December is a magical month at SULLALUNA.

Speaking simultaneously to children and adults, The Magic Flute can be experienced as a love story filled with humorous characters and delightful music, or as a vivid depiction of the inner tests we all must face on the path toward love and wisdom.

In recognition of the opera’s diverse audiences, the Metropolitan Opera presents Mozart’s final opera in both shortened and full-length versions.

SULLALUNA—whose mission is to speak to children through the finest international books and to adults interested in the true art of quality literature for young readers—is delighted to celebrate The Magic Flute and its current production.

Visitors to the bookshop will be able to see reproductions of examples of the stage and costume designs Maurice Sendak created between 1979 and 1980 for the Houston Grand Opera, as well as artwork from Don Freeman’s and Chris Raschka’s picture-book interpretations.

Drawing the Curtain, Maurice Sendak’s Designs for Opera and Ballet, as well as a curated selection of Sendak’s books and children’s book related to Magic Flute, will be available for purchase.

Whether you are a longtime opera enthusiast or discovering The Magic Flute for the first time, join us in honoring the timeless magic of Mozart’s masterpiece and the artists who continue to bring its story to life:

Saturday, December 13 | 4pm – Family Workshop: Chris Raschka will lead families in a special afternoon of drawing and listening to the story and music.

Sunday, December 21 | 3pm – Screening: The Magic Flute (1978) by Emanuele Luzzati, an animated film by one of Italy’s most beloved artists.

And thus, together, we will escape December's darkening days through the light of Mpzart's transformative tale.

Maurice Sendak (1928–2012) was one of the most important American illustrators and authors of the twentieth century, celebrated for his groundbreaking contribution to children’s literature.

For ten years he lived and worked in the West Village, at 29 West 9th Street, in an apartment that also served as his creative studio. It was there that he wrote and illustrated some of his most iconic books, including his masterpiece Where the Wild Things Are, finding in the neighborhood a place rich in artistic and cultural inspiration.

Sendak was also deeply involved in theater and opera, creating acclaimed set and costume designs for major productions, including Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Prokofiev’s The Love for Three Oranges, and Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen. His theatrical work reflected the same imagination, emotional depth, and visual invention that distinguished his books, expanding his artistic legacy well beyond the world of children’ literature.

Emanuele Luzzati (1921–2007) was an Italian scenographer, illustrator, and visual artist whose work left a lasting mark on theater, animation, and children’s literature. A versatile creator, he designed sets and costumes for major opera houses across Europe, bringing to the stage a vibrant, magical visual language inspired by folklore, color, and craftsmanship.

Luzzati was also an accomplished illustrator and author, as well as a ceramicist and decorator, and became internationally known for his award-winning animated films, created with collaborator Giulio Gianini—most famously The Magic Flute, considered a landmark in Italian animation. His imaginative style—playful, poetic, and instantly recognizable—continues to influence generations of artists and storytellers.

Chris Raschka (born 1959) is an American author and illustrator. Winner of two Caldecott Medals, he is known for his expressive, musical brushwork and his ability to capture emotion with remarkable economy and grace.

Among his many acclaimed works is The Magic Flute, his vibrant picture-book interpretation of Mozart’s opera, which transforms the timeless story into a visually rich and imaginative journey for little ones.

SULLALUNA is grateful to the Maurice Sendak Foundation for their assistance in making possible the use of the artists’ wonderful images.

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