THE MAGIC FLUTE Begins 3/16 at Utah Opera

Utah Opera will present Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's German opera "The Magic Flute," March 16, 18, 20 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. and March 24 at 2 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre.

Cast members include rising young soprano Anya Matanovic as Pamina, Utah Opera audience favorite Robert Breault as Tamino, and internationally renowned Grammy-winning baritone Daniel Belcher as Papageno. Audrey Luna, who recently made a splash in the Metropolitan Opera production of "The Tempest", will also make her Utah Opera debut in this cast as The Queen of the Night. Directed by Paul Peers and conducted by Tim Long, the opera will be sung in German with English supertitles. The performance will last approximately two hours with one 20-minute intermission.

The story follows a young prince, Tamino, who travels to exotic lands in an attempt to rescue the beautiful and captive princess, Pamina, with whom he has fallen love. Being armed only with a magic flute and accompanied by the ever-entertaining bird catcher, Papageno the two face multiple obstacles on their quest including joining a secret society and combating a power hungry queen's agendas.

"The Magic Flute" is one of Mozart's most famous operas containing some of the most recognizable arias in operatic repertoire. The Queen of the Night aria "Der Hölle Rache" has even been featured on multiple movies and television shows including the films "Amadeus" and "Eat, Pray, Love." It is the last opera Mozart wrote before his death and is one of his most dynamic and memorable works.

Utah Opera Principal Coach Carol Anderson will offer an Opera Prelude Lecture, free of charge for ticket holders, in the back of the orchestra seating level of Capitol Theatre (50 West 200 South) one hour before curtain of each performance.

Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth will hold a Q&A session, free of charge, immediately following each performance at the front of the orchestra seating level of Capitol Theatre (50 West 200 South).

Single tickets for the performances range from $15 to $93 and can be purchased by calling (801) 355-ARTS(2787), in person at the Abravanel Hall ticket office (123 West South Temple) or by visiting www.utahopera.org. A limited number of $10 Youth Tickets and USUO Upbeat Tickets (discounts for patrons 30 or younger) are available for the Monday and Wednesday performances. All ticket prices are subject to change and availability. Ticket prices will increase $5 when purchased on the day of the performance.

THE MAGIC FLUTE
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Liberetto by Emmanuel Schikaneder
Sung in German, Supertitles in English
Supertitles prepared by Thaddeus Strassberger
Premiere: Vienna, 1971
Previously at Utah Opera: 1985, 1996, 2006

CAST

Tamino Robert Breault
First Lady Jennie Litster*
Second Lady Sishel Claverie**
Third Lady Jessica Bowers*
Papageno Daniel Belcher
Queen of the Night Audrey Luna
Monostatos Doug Jones
Pamina Anya Matanovic
First Spirit Jacob Tryon•
Second Spirit Griffin Mozdy•
Third Spirit Jonas Malinka-Thompson•
Speaker, Second Armored Man Tyler Oliphant
First Priest, First Armored Man Andrew Penning**
Second Priest Shea Owens**
Sarastro Jeremy Galyon
Papagena Amy Owens**

* Former Utah Opera Resident Artist
** Current Utah Opera Resident Artist
• Chorister of The Madeleine Choir School

ARTISTIC STAFF

Conductor Tim Long
Director Paul Peers
Set Designer Thaddeus Strassberger
Costume Designer Susan Allred
Lighting Designer Nicholas Cavallaro
Wigs and Make-up Designer Yancey J. Quick
Chorus Master Susanne Sheston
Musical Preparation Carol Anderson
Guest Coach Emily Williams
Stage Manager Kat Slagell
Assistant Stage Manager Matt Jackson and Heather Myers

To post a comment, you must register and login.