The Magic Flute is a show that really likes to emphasize the differences between good and evil in terms of darkness and light. One of the first things I noticed when I first read/listened was how grandiose everything felt from the get go and how easy it was to follow along with the storyline while still feeling very sophisticated and almost regal. The music was very much painting a picture of what was going on and the world that surrounded the characters. Each character has very unique sounds and just by listening to them sing the characterization of each character is very clear. 

I felt that the play itself deserved a very otherworldly feel to it's design, especially given all the fantastical elements that come up. Using Elizabethan fashion as base silhouettes and mixing impressionism and avant-garde aesthetics onto them. 

Approaching it as if the characters were being painted as fantastical characters on stage, with brushstroke textures, naturalistic elements, and vibrant colors. This design should feel very big, very elegant, and be individual to each character while still having them feel cohesive.