Mozart magic; The Sarasota Opera's production of 'Magic Flute' casts its spell.(ARTS & TRAVEL)

Byline: JAY HANDELMAN jay.handelman@heraldtribune.com

Conductor Peter Leonard credits Hollywood for popularizing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart again.

While Mozart always has been recognized as one of the greats in the music world, it wasn't until the film version of "Amadeus" was released 20 years ago that concerts of his music and opera performances started selling out.

"Hollywood made him popular all over again. Before that, the box office was never that good," Leonard said. "But after 'Amadeus,' you could do anything Mozart and people would come."

Leonard takes up the baton for Mozart again Saturday at the Sarasota Opera when he conducts "The Magic Flute," which runs in repertory through March 26.

It's a work he's well familiar with. He spent seven years as general music director of the City of Augsburg, Germany, where "The Magic Flute" is a perennial favorite that he likens to the ballet "The …