Starting tonight (January 25th, 2008) opera lovers and opera virgins alike
have the opportunity to view an esoteric, modern version of one of the most
beloved operas of all times; Mozart's "The Magic Flute."
Running from January 25th to the 27th with very affordable ticket prices ($12
for students, $15 for Alumni and staff, and $20 for general admission) Peter
Kozma's production of "The Magic Flute" is a visual and auditory feast.
The Orchestra is not in the pit, rather they are onstage, integrated into the
set. The backdrops dually function as screens which show video back-story and
animation that support and explain action onstage. The entire opening overture
is accompanied by a video featuring local hot spots that gives a silent background
to the opera. This is a media age opera. Translated into English, some opera
snobs might be put off by the silliness of it, but with lines like "crap,
we're screwed" this is opera for the people.
The two female leads, coloratura soprano and soprano, are utterly fantastic! With pure voices, natural vibrato, and great stage presence they are a joy to watch. The male lead, Dennis Bassett’s Tamino, pales in comparison to the women, his tenor is steady but can't compete. Papageno (David Wilson) is a wonderful, rich baritone that not only sounds good, but his hysterics onstage are quite enjoyable. The bass secondary character, Jonathan Stuckey’s Sarastro, is delicious in his deep caramel tones. The Three Ladies (Ching-Yi Chen, Nicole Snyder and Sarah Rhorer) provide good stage and sound dressing.
Kozma creatively uses the chorus to create aspects of the sets, since the actual set is spare and ultra modern. The only aspect of the show that seems a bit off is the over-dressing of the villain Monostatos. He looks like Paul Ruebens in Buffy the Vampire Slayer: it distracts from the overall atmosphere of the show. With his use of space, sound, humor, and multi-media Kozma has created a show that is not exactly dumbed down, but accessible to anyone, opera lover or not. The correlations drawn, not just by Mozart's writing, but by Kozma's interpretation, are deep and sophisticated. This opera may be almost 300 years old but the themes are appropriate for our times. Beggar as all-knowing priest, Nerd as Hero, Bully as Woman Loser; the themes are sophisticated and intriguing. On a deeper level you have the "real world" and the "dream world" and the themes of repression, control, and class division.
If you are looking for something to do this weekend and you want to think deeply
then go see "The Magic Flute." If you just want to have a good time
and see a funny show, then go see "The Magic Flute." Like all operas,
the story is fantastical - but can be viewed as a direct representation of life
imitating art, imitating life - on multiple levels. Try it - I promise - you'll
like it
Review by Linsey Griffith
Photos by David Heasley
