Girl Meets Boy. Boy Meets Snake. And You Thought Your Dreams Were Weird.
New Production inspired by surrealism of René Magritte and Steampunk Movement
February 27-March 1 in Symphony Hall, Phoenix
March 7 & 8 in Tucson Music Hall, Tucson
Arizona Opera brings a brand new production of Mozart's The Magic Flute to the stage, February 27th and 28th at 7:30 pm and March 1st at 2 pm in Symphony Hall in Phoenix; and March 7th at 7:30 pm and March 8th at 2:00 pm in Tucson Music Hall, Tucson.
The production was conceived by Stage Director Daniel Rigazzi, who has worked for numerous seasons with the acclaimed Metropolitan Opera as an Assistant Stage Director. Rigazzi teamed with Scenic Designer John Pollard and Costume Designer Leslie Bernstein. New York based Pollard, known for his work in film and television, including a nomination for his work on American Gangster (2007), worked alongside Bernstein, whose credits include numerous productions in theater, off-Broadway, and work on the popular series, Law and Order. Her stunning costumes feature mythical woodland animals, headpieces, armor, animatronic birds in cages and huge wings for the Queen of the Night.
The production is a magical, surreal world, set inside Tamino's imagination, and filled with allusions to dreams and the idea of nature vs science. The imagery, inspired by the paintings of René Magritte with a nod to Victorian-era "Steampunk" style, takes the audience to an exciting place where imagination and reality blend together for Mozart's masterpiece.
The cast features tenor David Margulis (a former member of the Marion Roose Pullin Opera Studio) as Tamino, soprano Sarah Tucker (a current member of the Marion Roose Pullin Opera Studio) as Pamina, baritone Chad Sloan as the bird-catcher Papageno and Lindsay Russell as the imposing Queen of the Night. Nicholas Masters rounds out the cast as Sarastro with Scott Terrell conducting. Children from the Tucson Boys Choir and Arizona School for the Arts will be joining the cast of The Magic Flute, filling roles of the three Spirits and the Papageni children. Full cast list and bios are available at www.azopera.org
The Magic Flute Special Ticket Package for Families
Arizona Opera is offering a special Family Ticket Package, which includes 50% off tickets for kids/students (under 18 years), Dinner at Cibo Urban Pizzeria, a Commemorative The Magic Flute poster and a free download of The Magic Flute Readers Theater, as performed by students from the Arizona School for the Arts.
Phoenix Families: Visit www.azopera.org/flutefamily to take advantage of this offer.
Tucson Families: Please call 520-293-4336 for details.
TV Filming & Photo Opportunities
Surreal Steampunk Costumes: Wardrobe Manager Kathleen Trott and her team in the Arizona Opera Costume Shop take viewers on a tour of the array of the Steampunk inspired costumes for The Magic Flute, from the impressive Queen of the Night with her giant wings, to woodland creatures with aviator goggles and bird cage headpieces.
Battle the Dragon: Director of Production Doug Provost and stage hands operate the smoke breathing dragon as TV personalities engage in battle.
Bird Bicycle: Ride along with the three spirits on their 3 Seater Bird Bicycle pulled by 16 animatronic pigeons.
Trial of Fire and Water: Test your prowess as Director of Production Doug Provost leads media through Prince Tamino's Trials to test their bravery.
Cast & Creatives Interviews: Members of the cast, Stage Director Dan Rigazzi and General Director Ryan Taylor are available for interviews to discuss their roles in Mozart's beloved opera and the development of Arizona Opera's new production.
Student Night at the Opera: 2000 students in Symphony Hall (evening of Feb 25), interview Joshua Borths, Education Manager regarding his programs to bring opera to kids - from Opera Zoom via Skype to performances in the schools and field trips.
The Magic Flute
By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sung in German with English supertitles.
Phoenix
February 27 and 28 at 7:30pm and March 1 at 2:00pm
Symphony Hall, 75 N. 2nd St.
Tucson
March 7 at 7:30pm and March 8 at 2:00pm
Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church St.
Tickets: $25-$135 at www.azopera.org or by calling 602-266-7464 (Phoenix) or 520-293-4335 (Tucson). Arrive at the theater one hour prior to curtain to attend a free lecture on The Magic Flute.
The Magic Flute Community Events
Mozart's Story Time
Friday, February 6
10:00am
The Children's Museum of Phonix
Part actor, part singer and complete entertainer, join Arizona Opera's Education Manager Joshua Borths for Mozart's Story Time. Josh brings his original piece, The Magic Flute Reader's Theater, a 30 minute version of the adventures of Papageno and Tamino, the heroes of Mozart's The Magic Flute.
Instant Opera
Wednesday, February 11
10:00am
The Children's Museum of Phoenix
Spend a wonderful afternoon of music and storytelling as kids join Arizona Opera's teaching artists to create their own opera. This fun, interactive program brings the magic of opera to life as the kids develop their own adventurous story and perform their mini-opera, all in a 45 minute program.
Opera dell'Arte
Wednesday, February 11
10:30am
ASU's Kerr Cultural Center
Join us for a free music and lecture series at the Kerr Cultural Center. Get a detailed look at each opera and receive exclusive, behind-the-scenes information about our productions. This lecture series is ideal for all opera lovers- of all ages.
Operatif
The Magic Flute
Friday, February 20
7:00pm
The Arizona Opera Center.
Enjoy a glass of wine and discuss details of a main stage opera with General Director Ryan Taylor. Guests are invited "behind the scenes" to view a portion of the opera's final rehearsal at Arizona Opera Center. Registration is required. $25 per person, per event. Call 602.266.7464
Student Night at the Opera
Wednesday, February 27
7:00pm
Symphony Hall, Phoenix
This performance has been generously underwritten by JP Morgan Chase. Student Night of The Magic Flute is SOLD OUT.
Special tickets are available for the final dress rehearsal of every mainstage opera. These nights are reserved specifically for students to get swept away by great music and stories- while enhancing classroom learning. For information on how to reserve future student nights visit www.azopera.org/studentnight or contact Joshua Borths at jborths@azopera.org
About Arizona Opera
Arizona Opera, now in its 44th season, is our state's only professional opera company that produces fully-staged opera performances, concerts, in-school touring productions, educational and outreach programs that reach over 70,000 school-children and adults annually. Since its inception, Arizona Opera has produced over 180 fully-staged operas and concerts. The company's artistic history is rich with a blend of opera's traditional repertoire featuring baroque, bel canto, and verismo works, turn-of-the-century masterpieces, operettas, and American operas. Arizona Opera has also presented Wagner's complete Ring Cycle twice, a feat that has been accomplished in North America by only five other companies. Founded in 1971, Arizona Opera is among only a handful of companies in the United States that regularly performs in more than one city.
The 2014/15 Arizona Opera Season is presented by Copperpoint Mutual Insurance Company.