Luther College Opera Students to present Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” May 2-3
Luther College students of the college spring semester opera performance class will present two performances of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” Friday and Saturday, May 2-3, 7:30 p.m. in the Main Hall of the Center for Faith and Life on the campus of Luther College
Tickets are $10. For complete ticket information, telephone the Luther College Box Office, (563)-387-1357, open Monday-Friday, 9-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; extended hours Thursdays: open until 7 p.m.
“The Magic Flute” is an opera in two acts, composed in 1791 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to a libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. The work was composed in the form of a Singspiel, which includes both singing and spoken dialogue.
David Judisch, professor of music, teaches the class and is director of the production.
“The Magic Flute” is the story of the wise priest Sarastro, the princess Pamina, her mother the Queen of the Night, and the daring prince Tamino who, with the help of some magic musical instruments, prevails through struggles, schemes and temptations to win the princess. The opera opens with Tamino lost and threatened by a serpent. Three ladies of the Queen save him and show him a miniature portrait of Pamina, with whom he falls instantly in love.
The Queen demands that Tamino free her daughter Pamina from the temple of Sarastro, promising him he can marry Pamina. Her ladies give him a magic flute that can change men’s hearts and a chime of bells that will protect his team of rescuers.
Pamina learns Tamino is coming to free her and that he is in love with her. Tamino reaches the temple and learns the priest Sarastro is not an evil but a noble character.
Tamino and Pamina are brought before Sarastro, see each other for the first time and embrace. A council of priest rules Tamino shall win Pamina if he can pass through the ordeal. The trials include a test of silence, which makes Pamina believe Tamino no longer loves her. She attempts suicide but is dissuaded, and when reunited with Tamino is overjoyed to find he can again speak to her and loves her. They pass through a final ordeal of fire and water with the help of the magic flute.
The Queen and her ladies appear and attempt to destroy the temple but are magically cast out into eternal night. Sarastro unites Tamino and Pamina in the opera’s final chorus.
The cast of the Luther production of “The Magic Flute” includes:
Role Friday, May 2 Saturday, May 3
Tamino Charlie Moe Andrew Stenson
First Lady Katie Curran Maggie Boland
Second Lady Laura Fuller Laura Krumm
Third Lady Elisabeth Cejpek Julia Stuebner-Holt
Papageno Andrew Stoneking Matt Tschimperle
Queen of the Night Christina Douglas Jennifer Harrison
Pamina Brenna Sluiter Kylie Toomer
Sarastro Henry Hammond Sam Williams
Monostatos Andrew Jones Tyler Best
Spokesman Eli Pollock Zach Owen
First Priest Steve Rosas Joe Olynyk
Second Priest Ryan Deignan Andy Kust
First Boy Jenny Ward Beth Jeddeloh
Second Boy Emily Moore Julia Jenkins
Third Boy Jill Phillips Jill Phillips
Papagena Rachel Barkel Mandy Inhofer
1st Armored Man Colin Marnach Andrew Jones
2nd Armored Man Danny Lee Reid Henderson
First Slave Steve Mallers Steve Mallers
Second Slave Gary Danciu Gary Danciu
Third Slave Dave Schmitt Dave Schmitt
Chorus:
Chorus Master – Matt Myers
Women – Hannah Armstrong, Jessica Boese, Laura Val Dietmeyer, Sarah Frederickson, Rachel Gabbert, Susana Hansen, Kelley Kussmann, Mallory Marlatt, Aliyah Richling, Kirstin Roble, Heidi Smorstad, Camille Welter.
Men – Aaron Achartz, Gary Danciu, Matt Drees, Sam Eaton, Brett Epperson, Steve Mallers, Matt Myers, Matt Neuberger, Michael Penick, Dave Schmitt, Tobin Thomas.