OPERA BLOCKBUSTER “THE MAGIC FLUTE” UP NEXT AT UTAH OPERA
SALT LAKE CITY— Utah Opera will present Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s enchanting and beloved classic German opera “The Magic Flute,” March 16, 18, 20 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. and March 24 at 2 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre.
Cast members include rising young soprano Anya Matanovic as Pamina, Utah Opera audience favorite Robert Breault as Tamino, and internationally renowned Grammy-winning baritone Daniel Belcher as Papageno. Audrey Luna, who recently made a splash in the Metropolitan Opera production of “The Tempest”, will also make her Utah Opera debut in this cast as The Queen of the Night. Directed by Paul Peers and conducted by Tim Long, the opera will be sung in German with English supertitles. The performance will last approximately two hours with one 20-minute intermission.
The story follows a young prince, Tamino, who travels to exotic lands in an attempt to rescue the beautiful and captive princess, Pamina, with whom he has fallen love. Being armed only with a magic flute and accompanied by the ever-entertaining bird catcher, Papageno the two face multiple obstacles on their quest including joining a secret society and combating a power hungry queen’s agendas.
“The Magic Flute” is one of Mozart’s most famous operas containing some of the most recognizable arias in operatic repertoire. The Queen of the Night aria “Der Hölle Rache” has even been featured on multiple movies and television shows including the films “Amadeus” and “Eat, Pray, Love.” It is the last opera Mozart wrote before his death and is one of his most dynamic and memorable works.
Utah Opera Principal Coach Carol Anderson will offer an Opera Prelude Lecture, free of charge for ticket holders, in the back of the orchestra seating level of Capitol Theatre (50 West 200 South) one hour before curtain of each performance.
Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth will hold a Q&A session, free of charge, immediately following each performance at the front of the orchestra seating level of Capitol Theatre (50 West 200 South).
Single tickets for the performances range from $15 to $93 and can be purchased by calling (801) 355-ARTS(2787), in person at the Abravanel Hall ticket office (123 West South Temple) or by visitingwww.utahopera.org. A limited number of $10 Youth Tickets and USUO Upbeat Tickets (discounts for patrons 30 or younger) are available for the Monday and Wednesday performances. All ticket prices are subject to change and availability. Ticket prices will increase $5 when purchased on the day of the performance.
THE MAGIC FLUTE
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Liberetto by Emmanuel Schikaneder
Sung in German, Supertitles in English
Supertitles prepared by Thaddeus Strassberger
Premiere: Vienna, 1971
Previously at Utah Opera: 1985, 1996, 2006
CAST
Tamino Robert Breault
First Lady Jennie Litster*
Second Lady Sishel Claverie**
Third Lady Jessica Bowers*
Papageno Daniel Belcher
Queen of the Night Audrey Luna
Monostatos Doug Jones
Pamina Anya Matanovic
First Spirit Jacob Tryon•
Second Spirit Griffin Mozdy•
Third Spirit Jonas Malinka-Thompson•
Speaker, Second Armored Man Tyler Oliphant
First Priest, First Armored Man Andrew Penning**
Second Priest Shea Owens**
Sarastro Jeremy Galyon
Papagena Amy Owens**
* Former Utah Opera Resident Artist
** Current Utah Opera Resident Artist
• Chorister of The Madeleine Choir School
ARTISTIC STAFF
Conductor Tim Long
Director Paul Peers
Set Designer Thaddeus Strassberger
Costume Designer Susan Allred
Lighting Designer Nicholas Cavallaro
Wigs and Make-up Designer Yancey J. Quick
Chorus Master Susanne Sheston
Musical Preparation Carol Anderson
Guest Coach Emily Williams
Stage Manager Kat Slagell
Assistant Stage Manager Matt Jackson and Heather Myers
SYNOPSIS
Act I
Tamino, a prince from a foreign land, finds himself pursued by a serpent and fears for his life. He loses consciousness. Three ladies, servants of the Queen of the Night, enter and slay the serpent. Tamino remains unconscious while the three ladies exit. Tamino awakens disoriented. He hears panpipes in the distance, signaling the approach of Papageno. Papageno and Tamino meet. Tamino comes to believe that Papageno has slain the serpent and Papageno takes credit for the kill. The three ladies return and punish Papageno for the lie. They claim the kill, then hand Tamino a portrait of the queen’s daughter, Pamina, and promise him fortune, honor, and glory if he be moved. The three ladies exit and Tamino falls in love with the image of Pamina. The three ladies return, followed by the queen. They tell Tamino that Pamina has been captured by a demon—Sarastro—and taken to a nearby fortress. The queen promises Pamina’s hand to Tamino if he rescues her. Tamino accepts the mission and is given a magic flute and promised three spirits to guide him. Papageno is given a set of magic bells and ordered to accompany Tamino. They depart. Sarastro is away from his fortress and has left Pamina in the care of a servant named Monostatos, who mistreats Pamina. Pamina escapes but is caught and sent back to Monostatos’ chambers. Papageno has gone ahead of Tamino and, once at the fortress, spies Pamina through the window and lets himself in. He tells Pamina of her mother, the prince, and the mission. They escape through the window. Tamino is led by the three spirits to a strange grove with three temples. He demands entrance to all three but is denied and subjected to a series of mysterious questions at the third. The encounter challenges Tamino’s belief that the queen is good and Sarastro evil. Tamino is told that Pamina lives and he expresses his joy by playing the flute. Papageno’s pipes answer Tamino’s flute and Tamino chases the sound. Sarastro returns from his journey. Pamina pleads mercy for her escape, explaining Monostatos’ abuse. Sarastro orders Monostatos punished for his wickedness. Tamino and Pamina embrace, then are veiled and led into Sarasto’s temple.
Act 2
Sarastro and his council debate whether Tamino is worthy of induction into their mysteries. It is agreed that he will be subjected to trials that will test his willpower, patience, and trust. Papageno will join him and be awarded with a wife—Papagena—if he passes them.
Papageno and Tamino are sworn to silence and left alone in the dark. They are visited by the Three Ladies, a disguised Papagena, and finally Pamina.
Meanwhile, the Queen of the Night visits Pamina and explains that the king on his deathbed had entrusted to Sarastro the sevenfold circle of the sun and that it must be stolen back for the sake of the kingdom. The queen hands her a dagger and orders that she use it to kill Sarastro.
Pamina hears the sound of Tamino’s flute and rushes toward it. She talks to him but receives nothing but sighs in reply. She is dumbstruck by his silence and desperate for a response. She fears the loss of his love and claims death her only solace.
Tamino embarks on his final trial. Pamina, distraught, wanders off to plunge the dagger into her chest but is prevented by the three spirits who tell her Tamino’s love persists, then lead her to join Tamino in his trial through a blazing mountain of fire. The flute protects them and they pass unscathed.
Papageno believes he will never be worthy of Papagena. Heartbroken, he elects to hang himself. But before he does, the three spirits suggest he play the magic bells. Papagena appears. They will marry.
Monostatos and the Queen of the Night have been plotting Sarastro’s demise. But as the plot comes to fruition, a bright light floods the stage, and night is destroyed.
BIOS
Daniel Belcher (Missouri)
// Papageno
Most Recently at Utah Opera: The Italian Girl in Algiers
Recently:
La Cenerentola, The Barber of Seville, Utah Opera;
The Italian Girl in Algiers, Houston Grand Opera;
Waiting for Miss Monroe, The Netherlands Opera;
Roméo et Juliette, ABAO-OLBE Bilbao, Spain
Upcoming:
Le Nozze di Figaro, Florentine Opera;
Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Central City Opera
Jessica Bowers (New York)
// Third Lady
Most Recently at Utah Opera: Gianni Schicchi/Suor Angelica
Recently:
The Sound of Music, Anchorage Opera;
Suor Angelica, Garden State Opera
Upcoming:
Suor Angelica, Opera Oggi New York;
Recitals in New York City with Oren Fader, Guitar
Robert Breault (Wisconsin)
// Tamino
Most Recently at Utah Opera, Lucia di Lammermoor
Recently:
Plump Jack, Bayerischer Rundfunk Symphonieorchester;
Rigoletto, Edmonton Opera;
Manon Lescaut, Chautauqua Opera
Upcoming:
Bayerischer Rundfunk Symphonieorchester
30
Sishel Claverie (Mexico)
// Second Lady
Most Recently at Utah Opera: Il Trovatore
Recently:
Utah Opera Resident Artist;
Rigoletto, Utah Opera;
The Consul, Opera New Jersey;
To Cross the Face of the Moon, Houston Grand Opera;
Ariadne auf Naxos, Rice Opera;
Così fan tutte, Moores Opera Center
Upcoming:
Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Utah Opera
Jeremy Galyon (Tennessee)
// Sarastro
Utah Opera Debut
Recently:
Don Giovanni, Opera Grand Rapids;
Il Barbiere di Siviglia, New Jersey State Opera;
Madama Butterfly, The Metropolitan Opera
Upcoming:
Brahms Requiem, MidAmerica Productions
Doug Jones (Kansas)
// Monostatos
Utah Opera Debut
Recently:
Samson et Dalila, San Diego Opera;
Madama Butterfly, Lyric Opera of Kansas City;
Madama Butterfly, Seattle Opera;
The Magic Flute, Seattle Opera;
Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, Israeli Opera, Tel Aviv
Upcoming:
Turandot, Elektra, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
artists’ profiles
31
Jennie Litster (Nevada)
// First Lady
Most Recently at Utah Opera, The Elixir of Love
Recently:
La Bohème, Utah Lyric Opera;
St. Matthew Passion, Utah Festival Opera;
Rigoletto, Utah Opera
Upcoming:
The Magic Flute, Opera San Luis Obispo
Audrey Luna (Oregon)
// Queen of the Night
Utah Opera Debut
Recently:
The Tempest, The Metropolitan Opera;
Die Zauberflöte, Lyric Opera of Chicago;
Nixon in China, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Upcoming:
Ariadne auf Naxos, Fort Worth Opera
Anya Matanovič (Washington State)
// Pamina
Most Recently at Utah Opera: The Elixir of Love
Recently:
Fidelio, Seattle Opera;
Carmen, Glimmerglass Opera;
The Magic Flute, Seattle Opera
Upcoming:
The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein, Santa Fe Opera;
La Bohème, Arizona Opera
artists’ profiles
32
Tyler Oliphant (Utah)
// Speaker, Second Armored Man
Most Recently at Utah Opera: Il Trovatore
Recently:
Amahl and the Night Visitors, Salt Lake Symphony;
Madama Butterfly, Intermountain Opera Bozeman;
Rigoletto, Utah Opera
Upcoming:
Falstaff, Utah Lyric Opera Ensemble
Amy Owens (Wisconsin)
// Papagena
Utah Opera Debut
Recently:
Utah Opera Resident Artist;
Turn of the Screw, Central City Opera;
Così fan tutte, Rice University;
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Wolf Trap Opera
Upcoming:
Our Town, Central City Opera
Shea Owens (Arizona)
// Second Priest
Utah Opera Debut
Recently:
Die Fledermaus, Rice University;
Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Wolf Trap Opera;
The Magic Flute, Phoenix Opera;
Don Giovanni, Brigham Young University
Upcoming:
The Barber of Seville, Utah Opera, Central City Opera
artists’ profiles
33
Andrew Penning (Minnesota)
// First Priest, First Armored Man
Most Recently at Utah Opera, Il Trovatore
Recently:
Utah Opera Resident Artist;
Of Mice and Men, Rigoletto, Utah Opera;
The Dialogues of the Carmelites, University of Cincinnati;
The Rape of Lucretia, CCM Spoleto;
Candide, Seagle Music Colony
Upcoming:
King for a Day, Glimmerglass Festival
Paul Peers (New York)
// Stage Director
Utah Opera Debut
Recently:
I’ll Never See the Stars Again, ARTEK Ensemble;
Little Shop of Horrors, Adelaide College of the Arts;
La Voix Humaine, Pocket Opera New York
Upcoming:
Tea: A Mirror of Soul, Vancouver Opera
Timothy Long (Oklahoma)
// Conductor
Utah Opera Debut
Recently:
Miss Havisham's Fire, Maryland Opera Studio;
Symphonic concert, Oregon Bach Festival;
La Cenerentola, Opera Colorado
Upcoming:
International Sejong Soloists European Tour;
Aspen Music Festival;
Dream Seminar/Drömseminarium, Companion Star Ensemble
34
Susan Memmott-Allred (Utah)
// Costume Designer
Most Recently at Utah Opera, Fidelio
Recently:
Resident Designer, Utah Opera 1979–2011;
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert;
Mormon Miracle Pageant;
University of Utah Pioneer Memorial Theatre;
Exhibition Ski Clothing;
Utah Shakespearean Festival;
Southern Utah State College
Nicholas Cavallaro (Utah)
// Lighting Design
Most Recently at Utah Opera, Florencia en el Amazonas
Recently:
Of Mice & Men, Utah Opera;
Cinderella, Ballet West;
Into the Woods, Grand Theater
Upcoming:
The Barber of Seville, Utah Opera
Yancey J. Quick (Utah)
// Wig and Makeup Designer
Most Recently at Utah Opera, Florencia en el Amazonas
Recently:
Il Trovatore, Utah Opera;
Ballet West (Wig Master);
Utah Shakespeare Festival (Cosmetologist);
Utah Lyric Opera Ensemble (Wig and Makeup Design)
Thaddeus Strassberger (Oklahoma)
// Original Stage Director, Scenic Designer
Most Recently at Utah Opera, The Magic Flute
Recently:
I Due Foscari, LA Opera / Palau de las Arts, Valencia;
The Rape of Lucretia, Norwegian National Opera;
Le Roi malgré lui, Wexford Festival Opera
Upcoming:
The Oresteia, Bard Summerscape;
Debuts: Royal Opera House Covent Garden, London;
Theater an der Wien, Vienna
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