Mozart’s opera ‘The Magic Flute’ appeals to the child in all of us
A touch of magic
Mozart’s opera ‘The Magic Flute’ appeals to the child in all of us
| CAPTION: Char Francis/Daily Mining Gazette The stars of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” rehearse earlier this week in preparation for their performance at the Rozsa Center in Houghton. The opera is the grand finale of the Pine Mountain Music Festival. |
By KELLY FOSNESS, DMG Writer
HOUGHTON — Imaginative and charming, the Pine Mountain Music Festival’s production of Mozart’s, “The Magic Flute,” will take you on a mystical, yet comical journey through the trials on the path to true love.
Staged in a forest, with a “slight jungle feel,” PMMF Artistic director, Joshua Major, who is also stage director, said it’s a fairy tale setting fit for the whole family.
“It’s a realm where imagination and fantasy can exist,” he said of the production which will be featured for one show July 16 at 3 p.m. at the Rozsa Center on the campus of Michigan Tech University. “It’s a nice mix of comedy and appropriate for the whole family.”
Marking the PMMF 16th season, “The Magic Flute,” brings a large cast of 15 characters, a chorus of 17 and an accompanying orchestra of 45, and leads with the handsome prince, Tamino, who is being pursued by a ravenous serpent.
Rescued by Three Ladies in service to the evil, scheming Queen of Night, Tamino is shown a portrait of the Queen’s beautiful daughter, falls in love and ultimately sets out to rescue Pamina, who is said to have been abducted by the priest Sarastro. Tamino’s cohort, the comical bird seller, Papageno, who finds himself caught in a lie, tags along in the rescue.
“The Magic Flute,” is lightened by elements of charmed animals, happy endings and of course, a magic flute.
And there’s a local tie, Major said, as the three spirits are played by local 12-year-olds: Hannah Moran, Johnathon Bake and Myiah Bethel.
“It’s a beautiful opera and the music and singing is fantastic,” Major said. “It’s just a very charming performance. “
Playing the courageous Pamina is Rachel Sliker who describes her character as “an innocent young girl looking for love.”
“She’s fairly naive but very composed as well,” Sliker added. “Sometimes people tend to play her a little drippy but I see her as a virtuous woman.”
Hailing from Rochester, New York, Sliker attended the Manhattan School of Music where she received her master’s degree in theater and performing arts as well as attended Oberlin for vocals.
Citing “The Magic Flute,” can be fairly complicated to summarize because it’s just “one of those Mozart plots,” Sliker said what matters is that “it all turns out for the best in the end.”
Her favorite scene, however, is the “suicide scene.”
“The Queen of Night tells Pamina to kill Sarastro otherwise she will abandon her and Pamina doesn’t know what to do,” she explained. “At the time Tamino isn’t speaking to her and Pamina takes that as he doesn’t love her anymore so she takes a dagger and says that life isn’t worth living.
“Three spirits encourage her not to kill herself and tells her that Tamino still loves,” Sliker continued. “So she listens to them and goes on to find Tamino.”
While the plot is rather comical, Sliker said, “The Magic Flute,” does have its dramatic points.
“It’s lighthearted in the way that this production is mystical,” she explained. “It’s like being taken to a far off land ... a pretend land, like a fairy tale story. There’s a Queen, a handsome prince ... it’s very Cinderella like.”
This years opera production is dedicated to the memory of Raymond C. Yarbrough, PMMF donor, supporter and former trustee.
PMMF Executive Director Peter Van Pelt said, “Ray Yarbrough was much more than a trustee or donor, he was an inspiration, a guiding light for the Festival at critical times in its growth. I can hardly measure or describe his contributions and importance to the Festival.”
One hour prior to the show, ticket holders are invited to join conductor Steven Byess and Lucy Thrasher, Resident Opera Artists program coordinator, as they offer an “Opera-tif,” a pre-opera talk about the story and the history behind Mozart’s final opera.
Tickets are $42/$30 for adults and $10 for students and children. They are available at the Rozsa Center Box Office by calling 1-877-PINE-999, at www.pmmf.org or will be available at the door.
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