The Magic Flute

Mozart’s fabled tale returns to OCP, ushering in the spring with a vivid, new production. 

We meet the noble Tamino, an impassioned, contemporary adventurer whose search for enlightenment amid a series of daunting trials ultimately leads him to find his one true love.  The Magic Flute is an opera that delights both seasoned opera buffs and novices, from the famously dazzling "Queen of the Night" aria, to Papageno's melodies, replete with humorous, bucolic whimsy.

This new production from director Robert Driver and designer Guia Buzzi transports audiences to the lush rain forests of Brazil, marrying the beauty and wonder of our natural resources to Tamino’s quest to protect that which is right and good.  The rising cadre of starring artists includes Spanish tenor Antonio Lozano as Tamino with soprano Elizabeth Zharoff in the role of Pamina.   Baritone Mark Stone, well-loved in Philadelphia as well as leading opera houses throughout Europe, returns as Papageno, the comical sidekick with a keen eye for birds, while the Queen of the Night is sung by Rachele Gilmore in her company debut.  

Excerpts are from the Opera Company of Philadelphia’s 2001 performances of The Magic Flute
Selections include the overture, opening scene of the opera ‘Zu Hilfe!’,  Papgeno’s aria Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja, Sarastro’s aria O Isis und Osiris, the Queen of the Night aria Der Hölle Rache, the Act II quartet for Pamina, Tamino and the two armed men, Pamina’s Ach, ich fühl's,  Duet Pa-pa-pa-papageno, and the final chorus.
Performers include William Burden (Tamino), Christine Brandes (Pamina), Eric Owens (Sarastro), Elizabeth Carter (Queen of the Night), Jochen Schmeckenbecher (Papgeno), and Judith Lovat (Papagena). The Opera Company of Philadelphia orchestra and chorus were conducted by Maestro Klaus Arp.

At the Academy of Music