Mozart’s beloved opera “The Magic Flute” (“Die Zauberflote”) will lead Wichita State University Opera Theatre downtown to the Wichita Scottish Rite in a collaboration to present the Masonic opera at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, March 3-4, and 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5, in the Scottish Rite’s elegant auditorium.
Tickets are $16 with discounts available through the College of Fine Arts Box Office, (316) 978-3233, temporarily housed in Wilner Auditorium while Duerksen Fine Arts Center continues with renovations.
Marie King
Mozart’s 1791 masterpiece is a triumphant metaphor for humanity’s mystical journey to enlightenment, and a tribute to the civilizing power of music, King said.
The plot concerns Prince Tamino, who undergoes physical and spiritual trials to unite with his beloved Pamina and gain a kingdom. His earthier sidekick, Papageno, seeks more hedonistic satisfaction in good food, a bottle of wine and the love of a pretty wife. Fantastic characters, sublime music and stirring adventure combine to produce transcendent opera theatre.
The music ranges through the gamut of 18th century operatic development, from childlike folk tunes to soul-stirring hymns and wide ranging arias. The story is told through eloquent orchestral recitative and spoken dialogue. The characters are of the widest possible spectrum, including the cheerful Everyman, Papageno, the noble hero and heroine Tamino and Pamina, and the magical Queen of Night and her spiritual opposite, the mystical priest Sarastro.
In this G-rated opera, everyone in the audience can relate to the plight of someone on the stage, which is certainly a contributing factor in the opera’s continued success, said King.
About the cast
The cast is composed of WSU alumni, graduate and undergraduate voice majors. Guest artist David Feiertag portrays Sarastro. The creative team is composed of WSU faculty and guest stage director Zeffin Quinn Hollis.
As usual, many of the roles are shared by two students trading off performances. The parts are Tamino: Ted Dvorak/Aaron Short; Papageno: Matthan Black/Steve Cox; Pamina: Emily Moore/Abby Whittle; Queen of Night: Janene Davis/Jen Williams; Sarastro: Yung Jin Lai/ Feiertag; Lady 1: Leanne Scaggs/Heidi Smorstad; Lady 2 : Erin Mundus/Stephanie Goodwin; Lady 3: Jen Weiman/Danielle Rohr; Monostotos: Jacob January/Josh Armendariz; Spirit 1: Abby Triemer/Beki Keraly; Spirit 2: Lydia Pirilli/Katie Bartomeo; Spirit 3: Stefanie Randall/Ariel Daly; Speaker: Sean Foster/Yung Jin Lai; Papagena: Beki Keraly/Danielle Herrington; Armored Man: Grant Pyper/Sean Foster; Armored Man: Anthony St. James; First Priest: Brian Yeakley. Appearing as priestesses, priests and slaves are DaKneisha Blount, Chy Billings, Michael Gordon,
Caitlin Marrero, Eric Moody, Curtis Proctor and Elizabeth Strunk.