Mozart’s fairy tale opera, The Magic Flute will be a revival of the 2003-04 production with Open Hand Theater, but with some special updates and surprises.  Many of the original creative team are returning:  Geoffrey Navias, who conceived and directed the original production; Lighting Designer Kirk Bookman; Malinda Haslett (Artist of the Year) as Pamina; Matthew Chellis as Tamino; Jimi James as the world’s only stilting Papageno; Eric Johnson as Sarastro; Michael Connor as Monostatos; and Maestro John Di Costanzo conducting the Syracuse Opera Chorus and the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra.  New to the production is Emily Hindrichs as The Queen of the Night, in her Syracuse Opera debut.  This production is not to be missed!

Follow the sound of Tamino’s magic flute and Papagano’s silver bells to a luminous fantasy world where good triumphs over evil, light defies darkness and love conquers all. Mozart’s enchanting blend of pure comedy and high drama combine in a masterpiece that has captivated audiences for over 200 years. This production features an exciting concept highlighting the fantastical elements of Mozart’s opera as the audience will experience elements of surprise and delight in this very playful version of one of Mozart’s best-loved operas.  It combines singers and puppets of all sizes (hand, life size and larger than life size) in a fantasy world that has to be seen to be believed.

Synopsis
The Magic Flute is largely about the forces of good versus evil.  Good is represented by Sarastro, the High Priest of the Temple of the Sun, and evil by the Queen of the Night.  Prince Tamino falls in love with a portrait of Pamina, daughter of the Queen of the Night.  The Queen of the Night tells him that Pamina has been captured by her enemy, Sarastro.  She convinces him to free Pamina.  Papageno, a birdcatcher, joins Tamino in his quest.  Tamino is given a magic flute and Papageno magic bells to guard them against danger.  Meanwhile, Pamina is fighting off the advances of the evil Monostatos.  Papageno frightens him off and he and Pamina flee.  Tamino has encountered Sarastro’s followers and decides to join them.  Tamino and Pamina finally meet, but Tamino and Papageno must prove themselves by enduring the trials of initiation into the Sacred Order.  Tamino succeeds and resists all temptations.  The Queen of the Night is furious and tries to compel Pamina to kill Sarastro.  Pamina resists, and with the coming of dawn the Queen’s last attempt at revenge is foiled.  Pamina and Tamino are united within the Sacred Order, and Papageno finds a Papagena of his very own.  They all live happily ever after.

An opera in two acts set in a magical imaginary kingdom, The Magic Flute will be sung in English with projected English titles.  Performances are Friday, October 24, 2008, at 8:00pm and Sunday, October 26, 2008, at 2:30pm in the Crouse-Hinds Theater of the John H. Mulroy Civic Center Theaters at Oncenter.