EVENT: Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte” @ Weber State University Department of Performing Arts (Austad Auditorium, Val A. Browning Center for the Performing Arts: March 28-30)

Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)
Who:         Weber State University Department of Performing Arts
What:         Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte” (The Magic Flute), directed by Karen Brookens-Bruestle
                Weber State University Chamber Orchestra, directed by Michael Palumbo
When:         March 28-30 • 7:30 p.m. •  2:00 pm matinee: March 30
Where:         Austad Auditorium, Val A. Browning Center for the Performing Arts

Weber State University Department of Performing Arts presents         Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte” (The Magic Flute), directed by Karen Brookens-Bruestle, March 28-30, 7:30 p.m. with a 2:00 pm matinee: March 30, in the Austad Auditorium, Val A. Browning Center for the Performing Arts. Children 8 years and older are welcome.

“Die Zauberflöte” will be performed in German (with Supertitles and spoken dialogue in English. The production features music students from the Department of Performing Arts and the Weber State University Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Michael Palumbo. Lighting design is by Fluffy Blake and costumes are by Linda Faldmo Lee. 
 
Considered one of the most frequent operas performed world wide, “Die Zauberflöte” (The Magic Flute) is noted for its prominent Masonic elements such as the use of the number three (Three Ladies, Three Spirits, etc.) and is further influenced by the philosophy of the Enlightenment, idealized during Mozart’s lifetime. The opera is just as engaging and magical for the performer as it is for the audience to watch. 

The Magic Flute combines the realms of fantasy, superstition, and pure magical delight, as represented by the bird-catcher Papageno, with more serious elements involving reason, wisdom, virtue and the education of mankind as seen in the characters of Tamino and his mentor, Sarastro. 
 
This opera is also based on such drastic polar opposites as good and bad, light and darkness. The Queen of the NIght clearly fulfills the darker elements of the story. She is the supreme opposite to her antagonist Sarastro who symbolizes the true path of enlightenment. This path involves trials of silence and obedience and culminates in a rite of passage through fire and water with the ultimate goal to make “the Earth a heavenly kingdom, and mortals like the gods”. (“Dann ist die Erd’ ein Himmelreich, und Sterbliche den Göttern gleich.” This phrase is sung in the finales to both acts.)
 
Brookens-Bruestle says, “This is the fourth opera that I have had the pleasure to direct while at Weber State University and this opera (actually called a “singspiel in two acts” since the story is told through both spoken dialogue and music) has truly been a wonderful and imaginative adventure. Due to its fantastical nature and evolving scene changes, this production will rely heavily on special lighting effects, including haze and strobe lights, as well as spectacular back drops, rock formations, and costume designs that emphasize the extreme personalities, and prominent themes of the story-line.” 
 
 Tickets are $12 and $9 for all shows and are available in advance at Dee Events Center Tickets, the Browning Center Box Office, 1-801-626-7000 or weberstatetickets.com or at the Browning Center Box Office beginning one hour before the performance.  
 
For more information contact director Karen Brookens-Bruestle, 801-626-6439 or kbrookens@weber.edu