The Santa Fe Opera

Skip to main content Skip to search
The Magic Flute 2010

The Magic Flute 2010

July 3 - August 27, 2010

Mozart’s ultimate opera…

The powers of love and of music triumph over evil, transforming discord into radiant harmony.

Music By
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto By
Emanuel Schikaneder

Synopsis

Act I

The Three Ladies kill a huge serpent that was chasing Tamino, then go to inform the Queen of the Night of his arrival. Papageno introduces himself, boasting to Tamino that he was the one who slew the beast. The Ladies return to give Tamino a portrait of Pamina, claiming she has been enslaved by Sarastro, and they temporarily padlock Papageno’s mouth for lying. Tamino is charmed by the image of Pamina. The Queen appears, lamenting the loss of her daughter, and charges Tamino and Papageno with Pamina’s rescue. The Ladies give Tamino a magic flute and Papageno magic bells to ensure their safety. Monostatos tries to capture Pamina but is frightened away by Papageno, who tells Pamina that Tamino loves her and intends to save her. Tamino arrives at a temple and is told that it is the Queen, not Sarastro, who is evil. He plays his flute, hoping to make Pamina appear. She and Papageno are nearby and, thanks to Papageno’s magic bells, are able once again to escape from Monostatos. Sarastro promises Pamina eventual freedom. She sees Tamino and they fall in love.

Act II

Tamino and Papageno begin the first of three initiation trials to join Sarastro’s temple of brotherhood. Sworn to silence, Tamino resists the temptations of the Three Ladies, but Papageno quickly succumbs. Monostatos again approaches the sleeping Pamina but is warded off by the Queen of the Night, who gives her daughter a dagger with which to murder Sarastro. Monostatos renews his quest when the Queen vanishes, but Pamina is rescued by Sarastro, who consoles her. Papageno catches a glimpse of Papagena, but is warned that he must succeed in the trials if he is to have her for a wife. Pamina is despondent over Tamino’s silence, but is saved from suicide by the Three Spirits. She is reunited with Tamino and they undergo the trials by water and fire, emerging triumphant thanks to the magic flute. Papageno also is saved from attempted suicide by the Spirits, who remind him to use his magic bells to summon Papagena. The pair plans for a fertile future. The Queen of the Night, her Three Ladies, and Monostatos attack Sarastro’s brotherhood, but are defeated and the victors celebrate the triumph of enlightenment over the powers of darkness.

Artists

Charles Castronovo headshot

Charles Castronovo

Tenor

Tamino (July 3 - August 23)

Alek Shrader headshot

Alek Shrader

Tenor

Tamino (August 27)

Ekaterina Siurina headshot

Ekaterina Siurina

Soprano

Pamina

Joshua Hopkins headshot

Joshua Hopkins

Baritone

Papageno

Erin Morley headshot

Erin Morley

Soprano

Queen of the Night (July 3 - August 10)

Audrey Elizabeth Luna headshot

Audrey Elizabeth Luna

Soprano

Queen of the Night (August 16 - 27)

Timothy Oliver headshot

Timothy Oliver

Tenor

Monostatos

Dale Travis headshot

Dale Travis

Bass-baritone

Speaker

Andrea Silvestrelli headshot

Andrea Silvestrelli

Bass

Sarastro

Jamie-Rose Guarrine headshot

Jamie-Rose Guarrine

Soprano

Papagena

Rachel Willis Sorensen

Rachel Willis-Sørensen

Soprano

First Lady

Audrey Walstrom headshot

Audrey Walstrom

Mezzo-soprano

Second Lady

Renée Tatum headshot

Renée Tatum

Mezzo-soprano

Third Lady

Jason Slayden headshot

Jason Slayden

Tenor

Priest

Jorge Prego headshot

Jorge Prego

Tenor

First Armed Man

David Govertsen headshot

David Govertsen

Bass-baritone

Second Armed Man

Lawrence Renes headshot

Lawrence Renes

Conductor

Tim Albery headshot

Tim Albery

Director

Tobias Hoheisel headshot

Tobias Hoheisel

Scenic & Costume Designer

Jennifer Tipton headshot

Jennifer Tipton

Lighting Designer

Susanne Sheston headshot

Susanne Sheston

Chorus Master