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The Magic Flute 1979

July 21 - August 24, 1979

Mozart’s sublime, final masterpiece…

…combines wit and humor, love and tenderness, exaltation and sacrifice, set against the greatest score.

Music By
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto By
Emanuel Schikaneder and Carl Ludwig Giesecke based on Wieland's oriental fairytale

Synopsis

Act I

The scene is set in and around the Temple of Isis and Osiris, and in the realm of the Queen of the Night. In legendary times. A young prince, Tamino. is set upon by a dragon. Faints from fear and is only saved by the miraculous intervention of three of the Queen of the Night’s ladies. Upon reviving, Tamino first hides from but then confronts Papageno, the Queen’s birdcatcher who enjoys a carefree life and wants only for a spouse. Papageno claims credit for slaying the dragon. The Queen’s ladies reappear to lock closed Papageno’s mouth as punishment for lying and to present Tamino with a portrait of Pamina, the Queen’s daughter. Pamina captivates Tamino even before he has met her. When the Queen herself appears, calling on Tamino to rescue Pamina from the sorcerer Sarastro, Tamino is eager to accept the mission. Papageno is pressed into service as Tamino’s companion. Tamino is presented with a magic flute and Papageno with magic bells to protect them on their mission and they are promised that Spirits will guide their way.

Pamina is on the verge of being abused by Monostatos, Sarastro’s servant, when Papageno stumbles upon them and Papageno’s appearance frightens Monostatos away. Pamina, like Papageno, longs for a spouse. Meantime the Spirits lead Tamino to three Temples where it is claimed that it is the Queen and not Sarastro who is evil. Tamino also learns that Pamina lives and plays his flute joyfully. Papageno hears and plays a reply. Papageno plays again when he and Pamina are beset by Monostatos. now joined by other servants of Sarastro, and Papageno’s playing renders the attackers harmless. Preceded by priests who sing his praise, Sarastro appears to inform Pamina she will be released and to warn her against her mother. Tamino appears captured by Monostatos. Sarastro punishes Monostatos for his treatment of Pamina. Tamino and Pamina swear love for each other. but are separated by the priests.

Act II

The priests process to a march. Sarastro announces Tamino’s candidacy for initiation and prays for the blessings of Isis and Osiris. Two priests warn Tamino and Papageno of trials ahead and swear them to silence. The Queen’s ladies appear attempting to lure them from their purpose. Tamino stands firm, even when Sarastro separates him from the distraught Pamina. Alone she is assailed by Monostatos and besought by the Queen of the Night (whom he now serves) to kill Sarastro with a knife that she gives her. In despair Pamina turns to thoughts of her own death. She is saved by the Spirits and brought again to Tamino with whom she must undergo the trials of fire and water.

Papageno has a very difficult time of it. He doesn’t wish to undergo the initiation in the first place. He only goes along with it to find a spouse. He fails the test of silence, is narrowly saved from the consequences of gluttony; is separated from Tamino and for a long time cannot find his Papagena. His mentors alternately reward and punish him, but his Papagena seems to be drawn to him by a power they cannot control until she eventually turns him away from suicide to a life with her which, if not of a very enlightened order, will certainly be fruitful.

With the success of Tamino and Pamina in their trials, Sarastro’s strategy is vindicated and the Queen of the Night’s power is destroyed by enlightenment and the sun’s rays.

Artists

Isobel Buchanan

Soprano

Pamina (July 21 - August 10)

Ellen Shade

Ellen Shade

Soprano

Pamina (August 15 - 24)

David Kuebler

Tenor

Tamino

Stephen Dickson

Baritone

Papageno

Sharon Bennett

Soprano

Queen of the Night

Ragnar Ulfung headshot

Ragnar Ulfung

Tenor

Monostatos

Gwynne Howell headshot

Gwynne Howell

Bass

Sarastro

Julien Robbins

Bass-baritone

Speaker of the Temple

Sunny Joy Langton

Soprano

Papagena

Sally Wolf headshot

Sally Wolf

Soprano

First Lady

Pamela Hicks

Soprano

Second Lady

Ellen Stanley

Mezzo-soprano

Third Lady

Randall Outland

Tenor

First Priest

Michael van Engen

Bass

Second Priest

Scot Weir

Tenor

First Armored Man

William Walker

Bass

Second Armored Man

Raymond Leppard

Conductor

Peter Wood

Director

Sam Kirkpatrick

Scenic Designer

Craig Miller headshot

Craig Miller

Lighting Designer

George Manahan headshot

George Manahan

Conductor

Chorus Master