Boulder’s Eklund Opera season continues this spring with Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” one of the most beloved and widely performed operas in the world. The family-friendly hit comes to Macky Auditorium with an all student cast March 17-19.
Since its 1791 premiere, Mozart’s timeless tale has inspired children and adults alike all across the globe. Like a fantasy adventure film come to life, “The Magic Flute” blends together whimsical humor and irresistible melodies to tell the gripping story of a prince who must outwit an evil queen to be united with his true love.
Music Director Nicholas Carthy is quick to point out that, like many kids’ movies, this opera isn’t just intended for kids.
“That’s the great thing about children’s tales, isn’t it?” he says. “They have one meaning for children and another for adults. The Grimm Fairy Tales are a great example.”
Audiences of any age will recognize the stratospherically high Queen of the Night aria, an impressive exercise in vocal acrobatics. They might also have heard the playful duet between the clumsy birdwatcher Papageno and his fated match, Papagena. But despite its few famous passages, Carthy says choosing a best-loved aria from “The Magic Flute” would be unfair to the rest of the opera. Like Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” ballet, it’s a nonstop hit parade of catchy classical melodies.
Hiding beneath the plot we all know so well are odd but clever references the discerning viewer might spot with careful observation. Throughout “The Magic Flute,” Mozart makes countless allusions to ancient Egyptian gods and to the Masonic order, which played an important role in the composer’s life. The Freemasons’ Enlightenment-era ideals of equality and rationalism appealed to him, and he fiercely defended their right to assemble even as the organization faced scrutiny from the Roman Catholic Church.
The opera is so rich with detail, so filled with life, that it’s hard to absorb in just one viewing—much like a painting by van Eyck or Vermeer. But whether you’re a first timer or you’ve seen “The Magic Flute” countless times, you’re guaranteed to enjoy the performance.
“It’s a very human opera, and it speaks to the power of love and the power of duty,” Carthy says, “and that’s what makes it an enduring classic for people of all ages.”
Fri., March 17, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., March 18, 7:30 p.m.
Sun., March 19, 2 p.m.
All performances take place in Macky Auditorium.
Tickets for “The Magic Flute” start at $20 with student, senior and youth discounts available. To purchase tickets, visit the CU Presents box office in person (972 Broadway), call 303-492-8008 during business hours, or visit us online. Note: All online and phone orders are subject to a service fee. For press tickets, interviews or more information, contact Jill Kimball at jill.kimball@colorado.edu.