For its annual production, UofL鈥檚 Opera Theatre presents one of the most beloved, family-friendly classics: Mozart鈥檚 鈥淭he Magic Flute,鈥 April 8 and 10 in the Kentucky Center鈥檚 Bomhard Theater.
With witches and wizards, a dragon, a magical battle and an epic love story, the opera is essentially a fairy tale, said Michael Ramach, co-director of opera theatre at UofL.
UofL鈥檚 rendition will play up the story鈥檚 magical aspects with special effects such as smoke, black lights, video projections and slight-of-hand tricks.
The show is an accessible introduction to opera for those who may be unfamiliar with the age-old art form, but are curious. The two-act production is in English and is a , a form that includes both singing and spoken dialogue.
With the full orchestra behind the singers, who will be staged front-and-center, the show will feel intimate, Ramach said.
鈥淔or 500 years, opera was the most popular art form on earth, so they were written for everyone to enjoy,鈥 he said. 鈥溾楾he Magic Flute鈥 is a wonderful story of good and evil with great tunes. It鈥檚 for everyone in your family.鈥
The story, alternately a serious and comic exploration of love, truth and the search for enlightenment, portrays the education of mankind, progressing from chaos to rational enlightenment by means of trial and error. 鈥淭he Magic Flute鈥 premiered in 1791 in Vienna and was one of Mozart’s last works before he died.
The show is at 8 p.m. on April 8 and 2 p.m. on April 10. Tickets are $20, $10 for students and seniors, free for all UofL students, staff and faculty. For tickets go tokentuckycenter.org or call 502-584-7777. Kentucky Center members call 502-566-5144.
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