THE MAGIC FLUTE to Cast Its Spell at Artscape This Summer

A young cast of outstanding singers from Cape Town Opera and the University of Cape Town Opera School will usher in summer with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Emanuel Schikaneder's most joyful and uplifting masterpiece, THE MAGIC FLUTE.

When young prince Tamino (Nkululeko Masuku/Zwakele Tshabalala) undertakes a quest to rescue the Princess Pamina (Frances du Plessis/Brittany Smith), he learns hard truths about the real world: that evil can appear to be good, that heartbreak and joy can come hand in hand, and that true love can be tested. Protected by the magic of their enchanted flute, Tamino and Pamina discover that only music can lead them through death's dark night.

The company also includes alternating performances by Martin Mkhize and Luvuyo Mbundu as Papageno, Babette du Toit, Denira Coleman and Rachelle la Grange as Papagena, Leah Gunther and Maudee Montierre as the Queen of the Night, and Thomas Mohlamme and Garth Delport as Sarastro.

With an enchanting blend of visual wizardry and whimsical comedy, Matthew Wild's dream-like staging of THE MAGIC FLUTE in Michael Mitchell's poetic designs promises to give new expression to this fable about the power of music. The production also features choreography by Joshua Beamish and lighting by Patrick Curtis. The production will be conducted by Kamal Khan and Brandon Phillips.

THE MAGIC FLUTE will play the Artscape Theatre from 23 November - 10 December. Bookings are through Computicket. The opera will be conducted by Khan on 23 and 25 November and 10 December, and by Phillips on 5, 7 and 9 December.