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1980 production photo from The Magic Flute

The Magic Flute 1980

July 4 - August 21, 1980

Mozart’s last great opera…

…explores the ambiguous boundaries between truth and falsehood, virtue and evil, reality and fantasy.

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, set upon by a dragon, faints from fear but is 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, wanting only for a spouse. Papageno claims credit for slaying the dragon. The Queen’s ladies reappear to lock Papageno’s mouth closed as punishment for lying. They present Tamino with a portrait of Pamina, the Queen’s daughter. Tamino falls in love with the portrait. When the Queen herself appears calling on Tamino to rescue Pamina from 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 is given magic bells for protection. They are promised that Spirits will guide their way.

Pamina is abused by Monostatos, Sarastro’s servant. When Papageno stumbles upon them, his appearance frightens Monostatos away. Pamina, like Papageno, longs for a spouse. Meanwhile the Spirits lead Tamino to the Temples of Wisdom, Reason and Nature where it is claimed that it is the Queen, not Sarastro, who is evil. Tamino plays his flute joyfully as he learns that Pamina lives. Papageno plays a reply. When he and Pamina are beset by Monostatos, now joined by other servants of Sarastro, Papageno’s playing renders the attackers harm­less. Preceded by priests who sing his praise, Sarastro appears to in­form Pamina she will be released and warns her against her mother. Tamino is captured by Monostatos. Sarastro punishes Monostatos for his treatment of Pamina. Meeting for the first time, Tamino and Pamina swear love for each other, but are then separated by the priests.

Act II

The priests march in, as Sarastro announces Tamino’s candidacy for initiation, praying for the blessings of Isis and Osiris. Two priests warn Tamino and Papageno of the trials ahead, swearing 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. Then the Queen of the Night gives Pamina a knife to kill Sarastro. In despair, Pamina turns to thoughts of her own death. She is saved by the Spirits and brought to Tamino with whom she must undergo the trials of fire and water.

Papageno has a very difficult time. He doesn’t wish to undergo the initiation, but goes along with it to find a spouse. He fails the test of silence, narrowly escapes the consequences of gluttony, is separated from Tamino and cannot find his Papagena. His mentors alternately reward and punish him. However; his Papagena eventually turns him away from suicide to a fruitful life with her.

As Tamino and Pamina succeed in their trials, Sarastro’s strategy is vindicated. The Queen’s power is destroyed by enlightenment and the sun’s rays which dispel the forces of the night.

Artists

Ellen Shade

Ellen Shade

Soprano

Pamina

Raymond Gibbs

Tenor

Tamino

William Parker

Baritone

Papageno

Jeryl Metz

Soprano

The Queen of the Night

Andrew Foldi

Bass-baritone

The Speaker of the Temple

Ragnar Ulfung headshot

Ragnar Ulfung

Tenor

Monostatos

Philip Booth

Bass

Sarastro

Sheryl Woods headshot

Sheryl Woods

Soprano

First Lady

Rebecca Barber

Mezzo-soprano

Second Lady

Debra Borkovich

Mezzo-soprano

Third Lady

Janet Northway

Soprano

Papagena

Robert Moncrief

Tenor

First Priest

Michael van Engen

Bass

Second Priest

Laurence Paxton

Tenor

First Armored Man

Kyle Hancock

Bass

Second Armored Man

David Agler

Conductor

Vincent Liotta

Director

Sam Kirkpatrick

Scenic Designer

Costume Designer

Craig Miller headshot

Craig Miller

Lighting Designer

George Manahan headshot

George Manahan

Conductor

Chorus Master

Peter Wood

Director

Production