Papageno, Prince Tamino, the Queen of the Night… in The Magic Flute: It's the most delightful introduction to opera for every child, or every child at heart: Mozart's The Magic Flute. See the touring troupe from the Des Moines Metro Opera on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at Northwestern's DeWitt Theatre. Reserved seating tickets are available from Dove Christian Book Store. Pictured are Prince Tamino playing the flute, with Papageno and the ladies, part of the 2011 cast.
ORANGE CITY – Star-studded ladies, bird-catchers, a brave hero and heroine, a noble priest – see them all in Mozart’s The Magic Flute on Tuesday, Feb. 28 in Orange City.
One of the most beloved operas of all time, The Magic Flute almost defies definition, said Anthony Freud of Lyric Opera of Chicago. “Mozart wrote nothing more legendary, more unforgettable, more moving, more enchanting,” he said.
The Magic Flute is actually a “singspiel,” or “play with music,” and was an immediate success at its debut in 1791. Mozart himself conducted the performances until overtaken by an illness that would eventually lead to his death. The Magic Flute enjoyed 67 consecutive performances during the composer’s life.
“It’s a light-hearted fairy story, a pantomime, a raucous knock-about comedy, and a profound and moving analysis of the human condition,” said Freud.
Each character sings music to suit his or her own level of sophistication: the Queen of the Night, Pamina and Tamino singing 18th century Italian opera; Papageno, strophic songs of a folk nature; and Sarastro, the austere simplicity of a hymn.
The Des Moines Metro Opera’s touring troupe, Opera Iowa, will present a two-hour version of The Magic Flute, in English, on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Northwestern College DeWitt Theatre.
Opera Iowa will also present Sid the Serpent Who Wanted to Sing, an entertaining opera with colorful characters taking a musical journey from Rome to London to New York. Workshops will be held for students at Orange City Christian School, followed by the performance of Sid the Serpent. Those who would like to attend the OCCS show at 1:45 p.m. should contact the Orange City Arts Council by Feb. 24.
This year is the 40th anniversary of the Des Moines Metro Opera. Opera Iowa has performed in nine states, plus Japan and China.
Amazingly, opera is the fastest growing art form in the U.S. among young adults, age 18-24.
Reserved seats are available for The Magic Flute in advance at Dove Christian Book Store, 125 Central Ave NE, Orange City, at $8 for adults, $4 students. At the door, tickets are $11 and $7.
For more information, contact the Orange City Arts Council, OCArts@orangecityiowa.com or phone 712.707.6514. Support for The Magic Flute and Sid the Serpent Who Wanted to Sing has been provided by the Iowa Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The 2012 Opera Iowa team, from Des Moines Metro Opera.
An intro to The Magic Flute: http://www.lyricopera.org/tickets/production.aspx?pid=10254
