For Immediate Release
July 22nd, 2019
Mozart’s final majestic masterpiece, The Magic Flute, opens in Halifax August 2nd.
It is no secret that W.A. Mozart has a very impressive roster of classical works under his belt. However, Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute) (1791) is often regarded as his most beloved stage work. This production by the Halifax Summer Opera Festival features a child-friendly environment in which everyone can enjoy this tuneful and magical Mozart opera together.
The Magic Flute is sung in German with English dialogue, and with projected translations, so audiences won’t miss any of the humour or drama. Fully-staged and costumed and performed with piano, it opens August 2nd and runs through the 3rd, 8th, and 10th at the Dunn Theatre.
Filled with ritual and symbolism, Mozart’s The Magic Flute is a playful, serious, and at times, profound look at man’s search for love, as well as his struggle to attain wisdom; two virtues that could be often difficult to obtain simultaneously. Ranging from the stunning arias of the Queen of the Night to the sweeter and simpler melodies of the bird catcher Papageno, Mozart’s magical operatic talents are certainly on display in this fairy-tale opera.
“It is celebrated as Mozart’s final opera and it is filled with some of Mozart’s most unforgettable music,” says stage director Jason Davis. “Every second is filled with famous arias, duets, ensemble pieces, children’s voices and choruses.” He adds “It was Mozart’s last opera, and many consider it his best. The form is that of a ‘singspiel’ or ‘sing-play’ opera, not so different from contemporary musical theatre. By presenting our dialogue in English, we are making it truly accessible to everyone.”
Tickets for the festival are on sale online at TicketHalifax.com, by phone at (902) 422-6278 (ext. 500), in person at The Coast’s offices, 2309 Maynard Street, or at the venue an hour before the show, payable by cash, credit card, tappable debit, ApplePay or cheque. Audience members can also buy season passes, which will get them into every performance of every show (which can be quite interesting since there are two casts for each opera, providing two quite distinct interpretations).
Halifax Summer Opera Festival and Workshop educates and develops both singers and audiences through the performance of operatic repertoire. For fourteen seasons, HSOF has presented fully staged operas each summer, giving singers from university undergrads to professionals opportunities to learn roles in the context of performing an entire, full-staged opera. Participants are selected from live or recorded auditions and participate in rehearsals and master classes on everything from auditioning techniques to dramatic and musical interpretations by seasoned pros. HSOF is a not-for-profit society with a volunteer Board of Directors, based in Lunenburg and Halifax. You can find out all the details at www.halifaxsummeroperafestival.com.
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Information / interviews:
Bodhi Anders: mobile: 902-293-0264 or email:
bodhi.anders@gmail.com
