Seattle Opera Presents THE MAGIC FLUTE, 5/6-21

A menagerie of fantastical creatures, colors, and sounds awaits at Seattle Opera's The Magic Flute this May. Prince Tamino and his comical sidekick Papageno set out to rescue The Queen of the Night's daughter. But their quest takes on unexpected turns as they soon realize not all is as it seems in this fairytale land.

"'Love conquers all' is the life-affirming message of this grand opera-a spectacle for eyes and ears," saidSeattle Opera General Director Aidan Lang. "In addition to making you laugh, Flute is an expression of Mozart's profound spiritual beliefs-the search for wisdom and virtue."

Award-winning costumes by pink-haired fashion icon Zandra Rhodes, designer to stars such as Princess Diana and Freddy Mercury of the band Queen, completes the eye-catching experience. When this production premiered at McCaw Hall in 2011, The Seattle Times dubbed her wearable creations as "gorgeous ... [part of]an intoxicatingly imaginative show blending beauty with irreverence, and seriousness with - yes - sheer fun." Additionally, English Maestro Julia Jones makes her company debut conducting Flute, one of Mozart's most popular works along with Don Giovanni and The Marriage of Figaro.

Sharing the role of Prince Tamino are American tenors Andrew Stenson, most recently Tonio in The Daughter of the Regiment (2013), and Randall Bills, who returns following his Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni (2014). Lauren Snouffer(Countess Adèle; Count Ory, 2016) and Amanda Forsythe (Iris, Semele, 2015) sing Pamina, object of Tamino's affections.

John Moore (Count Almaviva, The Marrige of Figaro, 2015) returns as Papageno opposite American baritone Craig Verm in his company debut. Also making Seattle Opera debuts are Greek coloratura Christina Poulitsi (Queen of the Night), Croatian bass Ante Jerkunica (Sarastro), and Filipino tenor Rodell Rosel (Monostatos). The performance also featuresJacqueline Piccolino, Nian Wang, Jenni Bank, (the Three Ladies) and Frederick Balletine (First Armored Man)-all singing at McCaw Hall for the first time.

Returning artists include Amanda Opuszynski (Papagena), Adam Lau (Speaker); Eric Neuville and Ryan Bede (Priests), and Jonathan Silvia (Second Armored Man), as well as the creative team: Stage Director Chris Alexander (Ariadne auf Naxos, 2015 and The Tales of Hoffmann, 2014); Robert A. Dahlstrom who created the sets with Robert Schaub; andDuane Schulder, lighting designer.

In the role of the Three Spirits are youth performers Johanna Mergener, Emili Rice, and Isabel Woodswho alternate with Emily Amesquita, Alyssa Khela, and Barrett Lhamon.

The Magic Flute premieres Saturday, May 6, and runs through Sunday, May 21. Tickets are available online atseattleopera.org or by calling 206-389-7676. Tickets may also be purchased at the box office by visiting 1020 John Street (two blocks west of Fairview), Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Ticket prices start at $25. Groups save at least 20 percent: 206.676.5588 or groups@seattleopera.org. Seattle Opera Ticket Office: 206.389.7676. Online orders:seattleopera.org.

In April, Seattle Opera offers free public previews with live music from The Magic Flute performed at libraries throughout the Puget Sound. For a full list, go to seattleopera.org/calendar.

Family Day
Sunday, May 14, 2017 at 2:00 PM is Family Day at The Magic Flute! For this specially designated performance, students age 18 and under pay only $15 for almost any seat.* Family Days also feature special child-friendly activities during intermission. This production is recommended for age 5+.

The Magic Flute

Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder

In German with English captions

Marion Oliver McCaw Hall

Performances: May 6, 7m, 10, 13, 14m, 17, 19, 20, & 21m, 2017

Approximate Running Time: 3 hours with 1 intermission

Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m., matinees at 2:00 p.m.

Premiere: September 30, 1791 at the Theater auf der Wieden in Vienna, Austria

Previous Seattle Opera Performances: 1978, 1987, 1999 and 2011

Cast:

Tamino Andrew Stenson (May 6, 13, 17, & 20)

Randall Bills (May 7m, 10, 14m, 19, & 21m)

Pamina Lauren Snouffer (May 6, 13, 17 & 20)

Amanda Forsythe (May 7m, 10, 14m, 19, & 21m)

Papageno John Moore (May 6, 13, 17 & 20)

Craig Verm* (May 7m, 10, 14m, 19, & 21m)

Queen of the Night Christina Poulitsi*

Sarastro Ante Jerkunica*

Monostatos Rodell Rosel*

Papagena Amanda Opuszynski†

First Lady Jacqueline Piccolino*

Second Lady Nian Wang*

Third Lady Jenni Bank†*

Speaker Adam Lau

Conductor Julia Jones*

Director Chris Alexander

Set Design Robert Dalstrom with Robert Schaub

Costume Design Zandra Rhodes

Lighting Design Duane Schuler

† Former Seattle Opera Young Artist

* Company Debut

2016/17 Season Sponsor:

Seattle Opera Guild

In memory of Marian E. Lackovich and Captain Louis J. Lackovich

Production Sponsors:

Tagney Jones Family Fund at Seattle Foundation, ArtsFund, and 4Culture

###

About Seattle Opera

Seattle Opera is a leading opera company, recognized both in the United States and around the world. The company is committed to advancing the cultural life in the Pacific Northwest with performances of the highest caliber, and through innovative education and community programs that take opera far beyond the McCaw Hall stage. Each year, more than 95,000 people attend Seattle Opera performances and the company's programs serve more than 400,000 people of all ages (including school performances, radio broadcasts, and community engagement initiatives). Seattle Opera is especially known for its acclaimed works in the Richard Wagner canon, and has created an "international attraction" in its presentation of Wagner's epic Ring, according to The New York Times. Connect with Seattle Opera on Facebook, Twitter, SoundCloud and through the Seattle Opera channel on Classical King FM. 98.1.

To post a comment, you must register and login.