Show artwork for The Magic Flute

The Magic Flute The Magic Flute

Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Conducted by James Conlon / Grant Gershon

November 16 – December 15, 2019

An original LA Opera production

At the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

True love is never easy. Especially when there's a giant spider chasing you. And she's your mom.

“A wonderful show… great for the holidays; great for opera lovers, newbies... Simply let yourself be astonished”

Los Angeles Times

A dazzling celebration of love conquering all, The Magic Flute transported audiences into an enchanted world where good battles the forces of darkness.

With the seamless interaction between onstage performers and projected hand-drawn animation, this inventive and charming interpretation brilliantly captures Mozart's delightful blend of high comedy and adventure.

Cast

Pamina
Zuzana Markova
Tamino
Bogdan Volkov
Tamino (Dec 12, 15)
Joshua Wheeker
Papageno
Theo Hoffman
Queen of the Night (Nov 16)
So Young Park
Queen of the Night
Jeni Houser
Sarastro
Ildebrando D'Arcangelo
Monostatos
Frederick Ballentine
Third Lady
Taylor Raven
First Lady
Erica Petrocelli
Speaker
Second Lady
Vivien Shotwell
Papagena
Sarah Vautour
First Armored Man
Second Armored Man
Steve Pence
First Spirit
David Kakuk
Second Spirit
Thomas Quinn Fagan
Third Spirit
Anika Erickson

Creative Team

Conductor
James Conlon
Conductor (Dec 1, 12, 15)
Grant Gershon
Production
Barrie Kosky
Production
Suzanne Andrade
Animation Designer
Paul Barritt
Scenery and Costumes
Esther Bialas
Chorus
Grant Gershon

Read the synopsis

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Synopsis


Act One
In a dark forest, far away…
Attacked by a giant serpent, the handsome young prince Tamino is saved at the last second by three ladies who serve the Queen of the Night. When he reawakens, the first person Tamino sees is the bird catcher Papageno, whom Tamino assumes is his rescuer. Papageno does nothing to dispel the misunderstanding.

The three ladies punish Papageno for this lie by rendering him mute. They show Tamino a portrait of the Queen of the Night's beautiful daughter, Pamina. Tamino instantly falls in love.

The Queen of the Night appears and reveals that her daughter has been kidnapped by the evil magician Sarastro. Tamino eagerly agrees to rescue the girl. The three ladies give Papageno back his voice and order him to accompany Tamino on the journey, giving Tamino a magic flute and Papageno a set of magic bells. Three boys show Tamino and Papageno the way.

In Sarastro's realm, Pamina is tormented by her guard Monostatos, who lusts for her. Papageno wanders in, having become separated from Tamino. Monostatos is frightened away by Papageno's strange appearance. Papageno tells Pamina that her rescuer Tamino is on his way. He sadly admits that his own search for true love isn't going as smoothly.

The three boys lead Tamino to the gates of Sarastro’s domain, where he is initially refused entry. Tamino begins to doubt what the Queen of the Night has told him about Sarastro. He plays his magic flute, enchanting all of nature with his music.

Papageno and Pamina try to flee but they are caught by Monostatos and his helpers. Papageno’s magic bells put their pursuers out of action. Sarastro and his retinue then enter upon the scene. Monostatos leads in Tamino. The long awaited meeting of Tamino and Pamina is all too brief; Sarastro orders that they must now face a series of trials.

Intermission

Act Two
The trial of silence
Tamino and Papageno must be silent. When the three ladies try to persuade them to abandon their quest, the trial becomes truly difficult. Tamino remains silent and resolute, while Papageno immediately begins to chatter.

Meanwhile, Monostatos steals close to the sleeping Pamina. The sudden appearance of the Queen of the Night foils his nefarious plans. The Queen orders her daughter to kill Sarastro. Pamina remains behind, despairing. Sarastro seeks to console Pamina by forswearing any thoughts of revenge.

The trial of temptation
Tamino and Papageno must resist any temptation: no conversation, no women, no food!

The three boys bring Tamino and Papageno food, which only Tamino steadfastly resists. Even the appearance of Pamina fails to draw a single word from Tamino’s lips, which she interprets as a rejection.

Papageno is not permitted to take part in any further trials. He now wishes only for a glass of wine—and he dreams of finding his one true love.

For her part, Pamina believes that she has lost Tamino forever. In her despair, she seeks to end her own life, but is prevented from doing so by the three boys, who assure her that Tamino still loves her. Gladdened and relieved, Pamina accepts their invitation to see Tamino again.

Reunited at last, Tamino and Pamina undergo the final trial together.

The trial of fire and water
The music of the magic flute and their love for one another allow Tamino and Pamina to conquer their own fear and overcome the dangers of fire and water.

Papageno is still unsuccessful in his search for the perfect mate. Despairing, he now also seeks to end his life, but is prevented from doing so by the three boys. Papageno’s dream finally comes true: together with his Papagena, he dreams of being blessed with many children.

Meanwhile…
…the Queen of the Night, the three ladies and the turncoat Monostatos arm themselves for an attack against Sarastro and his retinue. However, their attack is repelled.

Tamino and Pamina have reached the end of their trials, and can finally be together.

Performed in German with English subtitles

A production of the Komische Oper Berlin

Artwork for The Magic Flute
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