Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’ brought to life by UGA Opera Theater

The University of Georgia Opera Theater will present Mozart’s seminal opera “The Magic Flute” (Die Zauberflöte) at the university’s Fine Arts Theater on Feb. 15 and 16 at 8 p.m., with a special matinee performance on Feb. 17 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $18, or $5 for UGA students with ID, and are available from the Performing Arts Center box office, via phone at 706/542-4400, and online at pac.uga.edu

The three-day engagement will feature the UGA Opera Theater in conjunction with the UGA Symphony Orchestra, conducted by director of choral activities Daniel Bara.  Frederick Burchinal serves as producer of the production as director of opera at the university, while opera coach Kathryn Wright is responsible for musical preparation

The opera will be performed in German with English supertitles provided by Carroll Freeman, who is also serving as visiting stage director for the production.  Freeman, professor in opera at Georgia State University, has an extensive operatic career on stage and in television, being a two-time recipient of the National Opera Institute Award.

“Carroll is going to bring so many good things to an already great opera,” said Burchinal, Wyatt and Margaret Anderson Professor in the Arts in the UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music. “Everyone loves ‘The Magic Flute.’  It’s in nearly every opera lover’s top ten, as it appeals to all ages with its blend of fantasy, virtuosic singing, and terrific, satisfying dramatic roles.”

Premiered in Vienna in 1791, the opera follows young Prince Tamino who, using a magical flute, finds himself racing to rescue his love, Pamina, from the forces of evil in a world of fantasy and mysticism. The production features UGA students Joseph Michael Brent as Tamino, Elisabeth Slaten/Evelyn Shreves as Pamina, and Christopher Voss/Evan Tyor as Papageno the birdcatcher.  Kelsey Fredriksen and Richard Block fill out the cast in the villainous roles of the Queen of the Night and Sarastro, respectively.

“It’s a story about proving one’s worth, to be exalted into one’s own—to show the world that you have the character, virtue, and strength to function as a member of society,” said Burchinal. “‘The Magic Flute’ is one of the few operas to have all those things.”