• PAMINA:
    Talise Trevigne
  • TAMINO:
    Antonio Figueroa
  • PAPAGENO:
    Curt Olds
  • QUEEN OF THE NIGHT:
    So Young Park
  • SARASTRO:
    Paul Whelan
  • MONOSTATOS:
    Julius Ahn
  • FIRST LADY:
    Amy Mills
  • SECOND LADY:
    Maya Hoover
  • THIRD LADY:
    *Blythe Kelsey
  • THE SPEAKER:
    Leon Williams
  • PAPAGENA:
    Rachel Schutz
  • FIRST PRIEST & SECOND ARMORED MAN:
    Buz Tennent
  • SECOND PRIEST & FIRST ARMORED MAN:
    Erik D. Haines
  • CONDUCTOR:
    Hal France
  • STAGE DIRECTOR:
    Allison Grant
  • *Mae Z. Orvis Opera Studio Member

A mythical land between the sun and the moon. Three ladies in the service of the Queen of the Night save Prince Tamino from a serpent. When they leave to tell the queen, the birdcatcher Papageno appears (“I’m Papageno”). He boasts to Tamino that it was he who killed the creature. The ladies return to give Tamino a portrait of the queen’s daughter, Pamina, who they say has been enslaved by the evil Sarastro. Tamino immediately falls in love with the girl’s picture (“This portrait’s beauty”). The queen, appearing in a burst of thunder, tells Tamino about the loss of her daughter and commands him to rescue her (“My fate is grief”). The ladies give a magic flute to Tamino and silver bells to Papageno to ensure their safety on the journey and appoint three spirits to guide them (Quintet: “Hm! hm! hm! hm!”).

Sarastro’s slave Monostatos pursues Pamina but is frightened away by Papageno. The birdcatcher tells Pamina that Tamino loves her and is on his way to save her. Led by the three spirits to the temple of Sarastro, Tamino learns from a high priest that it is the Queen, not Sarastro, who is evil. Hearing that Pamina is safe, Tamino charms the wild animals with his flute, then rushes off to follow the sound of Papageno’s pipes. Monostatos and his men chase Papageno and Pamina but are left helpless when Papageno plays his magic bells. Sarastro enters in great ceremony. He punishes Monostatos and promises Pamina that he will eventually set her free. Pamina catches a glimpse of Tamino, who is led into the temple with Papageno.

Sarastro tells the priests that Tamino will undergo initiation rites (“O Isis and Osiris”). Monostatos tries to kiss the sleeping Pamina (“Men were born to be great lovers”) but is surprised by the appearance of the Queen of the Night. The Queen gives her daughter a dagger and orders her to murder Sarastro (“Here in my heart, Hell’s bitterness”).

Sarastro finds the desperate Pamina and consoles her, explaining that he is not interested in vengeance (“Within our sacred temple”). Tamino and Papageno are told by a priest that they must remain silent and are not allowed to eat, a vow that Papageno immediately breaks when he takes a glass of water from a flirtatious old lady. When he asks her name, the old lady vanishes. The three spirits appear to guide Tamino through the rest of his journey and to tell Papageno to be quiet. Tamino remains silent even when Pamina appears. Misunderstanding his vow for coldness, she is heartbroken (“Now my heart is filled with sadness”).

The priests inform Tamino that he has only two more trials to complete his initiation. Papageno, who has given up on entering the brotherhood, longs for a wife instead (“A cuddly wife or sweetheart”). He eventually settles for the old lady. When he promises to be faithful she turns into a beautiful young Papagena but immediately disappears.

Pamina and Tamino are reunited and face the ordeals of water and fire together, protected by the magic flute.

Papageno tries to hang himself on a tree but is saved by the three spirits, who remind him that if he uses his magic bells he will find true happiness. When he plays the bells, Papagena appears and the two start making family plans (Duet: “Pa-pa-pa-pageno!”). The Queen of the Night, her three ladies, and Monostatos attack the temple but are defeated and banished. Sarastro blesses Pamina and Tamino as all join in hailing the triumph of courage, virtue, and wisdom.

Where lies the truth?

This season’s rendition of The Magic Flute is a new, innovative production created by Metropolitan Opera stage director, Daniel Rigazzi for Arizona Opera, and will be installed by HOT favorite Allison Grant.  Inspired by the 20th-century painter, Rene Magritte, whose work is filled with portals—doorways and picture frames—that lead viewers from reality to dreams. Additional surrealistic elements include innovative video projections and imaginative staging, which result in a quirky-yet-cheerful and decidedly bright, colorful production.

Prince Tamino opens the opera being rescued by Three Ladies, servants of the Queen of the Night. Through the Ladies, Tamino learns that the Queen’s daughter, Pamina, has been kidnapped by an evil sorcerer, Sarastro.  Tamino, already in love with Pamina, undertakes a quest to save her, and the Ladies give him a magic flute to keep him safe from harm.

Papageno, the bird catcher, accompanies Tamino as they prepare to face Sarastro and his minions. Upon confronting Sorastro, our heroes learn that things are not always as they seem.

Where lies the truth? Will Pamina be saved? Find out in The Magic Flute!

Performance Schedule

  • October 9, Friday, 8:00pm
  • October 11, Sunday, 4:00pm
  • October 13, Tuesday, 7:00pm

All performances at the Blaisdell Concert Hall

Sung in English with English translations projected above the stage.

Approximately 2.5 hours with an intermission

Photos

Tickets

Pricing

    Orchestra Level
  • A - $135
  • OR/OL - $90
  • B - $90
  • C - $63
  • D - $34
  • Seating Chart

    Balcony Level
  • A - $135
  • B - $90
  • C - $63
  • D - N/A

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Pre-Show Features

  • Show Day
    at the Ward Lanai, Blaisdell Concert Hall
    1st lecture: 30 minutes before curtain
    2nd lecture: 60 minutes before curtain