The magical concept of a "Magic Mirror" dates back to ancient mythology and folklore, where mirrors were believed to possess mystical qualities and the ability to reveal hidden knowledge or truth. The concept of a "Magic Mirror" has been widely popularized in literature, movies, and fairy tales. One notable mention of a Magic Mirror is found in the famous fairy tale "Snow White." In this tale, the queen possesses a magic mirror that she consults daily to confirm her beauty. The mirror, known as the "Magic Mirror on the Wall," is depicted as a sentient being that can speak and provide accurate information. The mirror's responses, "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?" form an iconic line that has transcended generations.
ACT II
Listen to Pittsburgh Opera General Director Christopher Hahn give a brief synopsis of The Magic Flute featuring excerpts from Pittsburgh Opera s 2013 production with Antony Walker conducting the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra. Seidel Asst Stage Manager- Hannah Nathan Scenic Designer - John Pollard Costume Designer - Leslie Bernstein Projection Designer - Doug Provost Lighting Designer - Andrew Ostrowski Wig and Make-up Designer - James Geier Head of Music Assistant Conductor - Glenn Lewis Chorus Master - Mark Trawka Associate Coach Pianist - James Lesniak Asst Stage Director - Kaley Karis Smith.
The mirror's responses, "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?" form an iconic line that has transcended generations. In another popular fairy tale, "Beauty and the Beast," a magic mirror plays a significant role. The mirror enables Beauty, the protagonist, to gaze upon her family while she is held captive in the Beast's castle.
How The Magic Flute Inspired Maurice Sendak and Isabella Stewart Gardner
Learn why Isabella Stewart Gardner and Maurice Sendak loved and were inspired by Mozart’s famed opera, The Magic Flute.
written by Diana Seave Greenwald, Assistant Curator of the Collection published on July 5th, 2022 4 minute readWolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Magic Flute (1791) held a special place in Isabella Stewart Gardner and talented author and illustrator Maurice Sendak’s hearts, and has a long history in the city of Boston. The overture to the opera opened the dedicatory concert for the Boston Music Hall in 1852. The city saw its first full staging of the opera in 1860—the same year Isabella married Jack and moved to New England. That production came from New York City after a run at the Academy of Music. In fact, the opera was staged just a few blocks from Isabella’s childhood home. Gardner and The Magic Flute arrived in Boston at the same moment.
Mozart: The Magic Flute - Overture (Benjamin Zander - Boston Philharmonic Orchestra)
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Written shortly before the Austrian composer’s death at the age of 35, the opera (technically a Singspiel) follows the quest of Prince Tamino and his sidekick Papageno. As they seek to rescue Pamina, the beautiful daughter of the Queen of the Night, who has been kidnapped by the mystical high priest Sarastro. With their magic flute and bells, Tamino and Papageno ultimately save Pamina, and their ordeals lead them to develop a deeper understanding of true love and happiness.
The characters traverse a series of fantastical landscapes and settings on their journey. This connection between The Magic Flute—also often referred to by its German name Die Zauberflöte—and magical worlds appealed to both Sendak and Gardner. Isabella chose the overture to the opera as one of the pieces to be played on the opening night of her museum in January 1903. For Sendak, The Magic Flute was an overture to his career as an opera designer: it was one of the first productions he designed, debuting at the Houston Opera in 1980.
Maurice Sendak, Design for Temple of the Sun backdrop, finale II, 1979–80, Watercolor and graphite pencil on paper on board
© Maurice Sendak Foundation, The Morgan Library & Museum, Bequest of Maurice Sendak, 2013, 2013.104:124. Photography by Graham S. Haber
Zoe Chessa+: First Spirit
This magical mirror not only serves as a window to the outside world but also connects Beauty with her loved ones. The concept of the Magic Mirror has also been incorporated into various fantasy novels and films. For example, in C.S. Lewis's "The Chronicles of Narnia," there is a magical object called the "Mirror of Erised," which shows the viewer their deepest desires. The mirror becomes a powerful symbol of temptation and self-reflection for the characters. In addition to its appearance in literature and entertainment, the idea of a Magic Mirror has also found its way into modern technology. Smart mirrors, equipped with advanced display technology, have been developed to simulate the appearance of a magic mirror. These mirrors can display information such as weather updates, news headlines, and even personalized messages. Overall, the concept of a Magic Mirror has captured the imagination of people for centuries. Whether found in ancient mythology, fairy tales, or modern technology, the idea of a mirror possessing mystical powers continues to enchant and fascinate individuals of all ages..
Reviews for "Elevate Your At-Home Spa Experience with Magic Mirror SLAN"
1. Jane - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magic Mirror Slan". The story was confusing and hard to follow, with too many subplots that didn't seem to go anywhere. The characters were shallow and uninteresting, making it difficult to care about their fates. Additionally, the writing style felt rushed and choppy, lacking the poetic beauty I was expecting from a fantasy novel. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Mike - 1 out of 5 stars - "Magic Mirror Slan" was a complete waste of my time. The premise seemed promising, but the execution was poor. The world-building was inconsistent and illogical, with no explanations given for the magical elements introduced. The dialogue was cringe-worthy and filled with unnatural speech patterns. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, who lacked depth and personality. I struggled to finish this book and regretted wasting my money on it.
3. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I was hoping for an enchanting and immersive reading experience, but "Magic Mirror Slan" fell short. The pacing was slow, with long stretches of nothing happening. The plot twists were predictable and lacked any real impact. The prose was confusing and overly descriptive, making it difficult to visualize the world the author was attempting to create. Overall, this book failed to captivate me, and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a satisfying fantasy read.