LSU’s Turner-Fischer Center for Opera will perform Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’ on Friday and Sunday, Oct. 27 and 29, in the Shaver Theatre in the Music and Dramatic Arts Building.
The fun begins Friday, Oct. 27, when Prince Tamino and bird-catcher Papageno embark on their quest to rescue Princess Pamina in LSU’s Shaver Theatre.
Well, the adventure isn’t really set in the theater, but it’s where LSU’s Turner-Fischer Center for Opera will create the enchanting world of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” for two performances, the second being a matinee on Sunday, Oct. 29.
The story opens in the middle of the action as Tamino, a prince lost in a foreign land, is being pursued by an enormous serpent.
The prince is saved by the Queen of the Night’s three ladies, who give him a portrait of the queen’s daughter, Pamina. It’s love at first sight for Tamino, and he promises the queen that he’ll do everything he can to rescue the princess who has been kidnapped by the evil Sarastro.
Tamino also befriends the bird-catcher Papageno along the way. The three ladies give Tamino a magic flute and Papageno a set of magic chimes as protection — the instruments have a way of charming both man and beast.
Then they’re sent on a journey filled not only with magic, adventure and romance but lots of comedy. But there’s more.
The music may be the same, but Mozart’s world will take on a more modern look when LSU’s Opera performs it in a graphic novel setting.
And why not? Graphic novels often depict epic adventures of heroes, and Tamino definitely faces lots of obstacles to become the hero of this story. That’s no forgetting his sidekick Papageno, whose shenanigans only add to the fun.
Mozart premiered his opera on Sept. 30, 1791, in Vienna, and it has continuously entertained audiences for more than two centuries.
From the iconic Queen of the Night’s fiery arias to Papageno’s delightful tunes, each note of this thrilling production will captivate audiences of all ages.
The Friday performance begins at 7:30 p.m., and the Sunday performance is at 3 p.m.
Tickets are $32, general admission; $22, LSU employees; and $12 students and kindergarten through 12th graders.
For tickets, call (225) 578-3527 or visit lsu.edu/cmda/events.
