The University of Toledo Opera Ensemble will honor Mozart with two performances of “The Magic Flute” Thursday, Oct. 29, and Saturday, Oct. 31, at 7:30 p.m. in the Center for Performing Arts Recital Hall.
The two-act opera by Mozart was first produced in 1791 in Vienna and quickly became a classic. An unwitting pawn of the Queen of the Night, Prince Tamino is promised her daughter, Pamina, if he can rescue her from the queen’s enemy, Sarastro. Sarastro agrees to release her to Tamino only if he can pass three challenging tests. Aided by his magic flute and his friend, Papagano, who also was promised a wife, Tamino sets out to pass the tests and win Pamina.
UT alumna Ebone Waweru will be the Queen of the Night.
“The ensemble has prepared a delightful and inviting performance experience that will involve the audience in the action,” said Dr. Denise Ritter Bernardini, UT assistant professor of music and director of the UT Opera Ensemble, who is directing the production.
UT graduate student Andreea Lee will accompany on piano.
UT Music Department faculty member Micah Gaber will be King Sarastro.
The cast will feature students Devon Desmond as Papageno, Lauren Kerr as Pamina, Meridian Prall as the Second Lady, Nadia Oselsky as the Third Lady, William Floss as Monostatos, Mackenzie Payton as Spirit One, Juliana Rodriguez as Spirit Two, Celleste Carroll as Spirit Three, Raymon Walker as Speaker of the Temple/Priest/Slave, Mike Vanderpool as Priest/Slave/Voice One, Brent Schermbeck as Priest/Slave/Voice Two, Chelsie Cree as First Lady, and Annie Valade as Papagena.
Also taking the stage will be UT alumna Ebone Waweru as the Queen of the Night, a role that also will be played by Elizabeth Hood; members of the UT Music Department Micah Gaber as King Sarastro and Laura Reaper as Third Lady; and Jordan Loyd as Tamino.
Tickets to the UT performances are $12 for general admission; $10 for faculty, staff, alumni and seniors 60 and older; and $7 for students. Tickets are available by calling the UT Center for Performing Arts Box Office at 419.530.ARTS (2787). Tickets also will be sold at the door.
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