Minnesota Opera to Bring Back Mozart's MAGIC FLUTE, 11/14

MINNEAPOLIS (October 5, 2015) - After breaking box office records in 2014, Mozart's timeless comedy The Magic Flutereturns to Minnesota Opera (November 14 - 22 at the Ordway) in the revolutionary production by Komische Oper Berlin and the British theater group 1927. Fantastical hand-drawn animation, synchronized with live performance, sets a surreal stage upon which its quirky characters, all cleverly based on familiar silent-movie personalities, explore love, truth and the pursuit of enlightenment. This acclaimed production has been seen in just two American cities - Los Angeles and Saint Paul - but has received international praise. Britain's Guardian said, "This production is a joy to watch: an enchanting, big-hearted, supremely lovable piece of whimsical animation and nimble stagecraft." The New York Times concurred: "... this production stays miraculously fresh, sustaining surprise and delight in its two-and-a-half hours." Packed with exquisite singing and stage wizardry, Mozart's final opera will enchant young and old alike.

"This is not your grandparents' Magic Flute," said Minnesota Opera Artistic Director Dale Johnson. "Komische Oper's Barrie Kosky is a visionary who challenges opera companies to use the theatrical space differently. His bright, Technicolor production mixes silent movies with children's cartoons and folk art for an exhilarating, family-friendly experience." Videos of the production can be watched on Minnesota Opera's The Magic Flute playlist on YouTube.

Minnesota Opera's 2014 production of The Magic Flute quickly sold out and broke all box office records for ticket sales, prompting this return engagement. Prior to the Ordway run, Minnesota Opera hits the road, bringing Mozart's The Magic Fluteto the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) for one spectacular Halloween matinee, Saturday, October 31, 2015. With its cast, orchestra, staff and production crew totaling nearly 160 (plus more than 30 Duluth-area stage crew members); three semi-trailer trucks and three coach buses to transport the set, props, costumes and personnel for the tour; and nearly five weeks of community-wide regional events including readings and performances at local libraries, and master classes, conducting classes, workshops and residencies at local colleges and public schools, The Magic Flute will have an outsize economic and artistic impact in the Duluth area. The tour is made possible by a generous grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This is Minnesota Opera's first performance in Duluth thanks to a generous touring grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board.

Much of the 2014 cast returns for the encore production, including French tenor Julien Behr, a 2015 finalist in Plácido Domingo's prestigious Operalia competition, who made his U.S. debut in this production as Tamino in 2014. Behr gave up a law career to pursue music, and he has since performed in opera houses and concert halls throughout Europe, including at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice, the Theater an der Wien (Vienna), the Opéra national de Paris, and the Barbican Centre in London. Earlier this year he was Tamino at the Opéra Bastille in a staging by Robert Carsen.

Behr stars opposite Christie Conover, the breakout star of the original production. This season marks Conover's international debut with the Komische Oper Berlin as Pamina in their tour of The Magic Flute to China, including performances in Guanghzou and Xiamen.

Minnesota Opera favorite Andrew Wilkowske likewise reprises his role as Papageno. He was seen at Minnesota Opera last season as Dulcamara in L'Elisir D'Amore. His recent performance of La Rocca in Verdi's King for a Day at Glimmerglass Festival was called "superb" by The New York Times and "brought impressive command to the text" according to The Wall Street Journal. Like Conover, Wilkowske will travel with the Komische Oper Berlin Tour of The Magic Flute to China.

New to the cast are Benjamin Sieverding as Sarastro and Jeni Houser as The Queen of the Night. Sieverding's recent credits include Oscar with Opera Philadelphia, as well as The Santa Fe Opera and Opera Colorado. Houser recently made her debut at Lyric Opera of Chicago, and was also seen as Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos at Glimmerglass Opera.

Music Director Michael Christie will conduct the Minnesota Opera Orchestra.

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