The moonlit glow on the magical flute casts a spell that enchants all who hear its melodic whispers. As the silver light dances on the instrument's surface, it seems to come alive, emanating an ethereal aura that transports the listener to a realm of enchantment and wonder. With each delicate and precise note that escapes the flute's delicate holes, a shimmering trail of stardust follows, creating a mystical path for those who dare to follow. The music produced by this enchanted instrument is not like any other; it possesses an otherworldly quality that captures the essence of the moonlit night. In the silence of the night, as the moon takes its place high in the sky, the flute becomes an extension of the player's soul. It sings with a purity and grace that resonates with the hidden depths of the listener's heart.
Fujiwara no Yasumasa (958-1036) was a renowned musician and poet in the Heian court. One autumn night Yasumasa made his way home through the isolated Ichiharano moor. He played his flute as he sauntered along. While he believed that he was alone amidst the tall grass, a bandit lay in wait. The highwayman, Hakamadare Yasusuke (also known as Kidomaru) planned to attack the lonely traveler and steal his elegant winter robes. Yet, as the music reached Yasusuke’s ears, he found himself unable to attack. He became enchanted by the beauty of the music and followed Yasumasa all the way home. Upon reaching the courtier’s home, the flutist noticed his unintended audience and offered Yasusuke a fine gift of clothing so that he would not leave empty-handed.
As Meiji-period modernization pushed ahead, Yoshitoshi Tsukioka suffered a nervous breakdown in 1872, living in poverty and ceasing all artistic production. 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.
It sings with a purity and grace that resonates with the hidden depths of the listener's heart. The moonlit glow that dances upon the flute's surface weaves a spell, drawing in all who yearn for a touch of magic in their lives. As the melodies flow through the air, they seem to hold the secrets of the universe, whispering ancient tales of love, loss, and triumph.
The magic flute
Mozart’s final and most-celebrated opera is the mystical adventure The Magic Flute.
Young Prince Tamino embarks on a hero’s quest to rescue the beautiful Princess Pamina from Sarastro’s clutches. Along the way, he learns that things aren’t always as they seem. Aided by a magic flute, and accompanied by his trusty sidekick Papageno the bird catcher, Tamino pursues truth and reason, love and enlightenment.
Full of beautiful melodies and enchanting characters, this timeless tale of light battling darkness will delight adults and children alike.
Pamina and her court (photo credit: David Bachman)
Papagena and Papageno (photo credit: David Bachman)
Pamina and Tamino (photo credit: David Bachman)
The Three Ladies give Tamino the magic flute (photo credit: David Bachman)
Three spirits point the way (photo credit: David Bachman)
Andrew Turner*: First Priest/First Armored Man
Zoe Chessa+: First Spirit
Helen Peppler+: Second Spirit
Abigail Cunningham+: Third Spirit
The Artistic Team
Conductor - Antony Walker
Stage Director - Dan Rigazzi
Stage Manager- Cindy Knight
Asst Stage Manager- Alex W. 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*
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder
Sung in English with English texts projected above the stage
+ Pittsburgh Opera debut
* Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist
** Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist alumni
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.
Click play below or download these excerpts for an offline treat!
- Overture - performed by the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra
- "The birdcatcher am I" - sung by Craig Verm as the bird catcher Papageno
- “This image is enchantingly beautiful" - sung by Sean Panikkar as Tamino
- "Swift steps, ready courage" - sung by Layla Claire as Pamina and Craig Verm as Papageno
- "Long live Sarastro!" sung by the Pittsburgh Opera Chorus
- "All feels the joys of love"- sung by Daniel Curran as Monostatos
- “Hell's vengeance boils in my heart" - sung by Audrey Luna as the Queen of the Night
- “Ah, I feel it, it is vanished" - performed by Layla Claire as Pamina
- "A girl or a woman" - sung by Craig Verm as Papageno
- "Pa. pa. pa. " - sung by Craig Verm as Papageno and Meredith Lustig as Papagena
- Final Chorus - performed by the Pittsburgh Opera Chorus
The story, in brief
The Magic Flute takes place in a mythical land between the sun and the moon.
ACT I
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. 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. The queen, appearing in a burst of thunder, tells Tamino about the loss of her daughter and commands him to rescue her. 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.
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.
ACT II
Sarastro tells the priests that Tamino will undergo initiation rites. Monostatos tries to kiss the sleeping Pamina 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.
Sarastro finds the desperate Pamina and consoles her, explaining that he is not interested in vengeance. 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.
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. 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 poison himself 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.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.
- Adapted from The Metropolitan Opera
We want you to have the best experience possible at our performances!
Here are some details and resources to help. Also visit our Opera FAQs or our Accessibility page.
- Run time: Tentatively ~ 2 hours, 42 minutes including 1 intermission
- Special effects notice: Strobe light effects and dry ice are used in this production
- Understand Every Word: The Magic Flute is sung in English with English supertitles projected above the stage at all performances
- Download the Program Book
- Download the The Magic Flute study guide
- Parking Downtown: get real-time parking availability
- Pre-Opera Talks before each performance
- Audio Description available at The Benedum Center
- Braille Programs available at The Benedum Center
- Large-Print Programs available at The Benedum Center
CHILD POLICY:
- Children must be ages 6 and up. Suggestions and tips for bringing children to the opera may be found at pittsburghopera.org/FAQ.
- All children must have a ticket. There is a 50% discount for kids and teens ages 6-18.
- Children 12 and under, who at the time of these performances will be unable to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, must have COVID test results as detailed at pittsburghopera.org/COVID. Guests under 12, and guests younger than 18 without a photo ID, must be accompanied by an adult who meets the requirements at pittsburghopera.org/COVID.
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- WQED-FM - Voice of the Arts podcast interviews
- Adelaide Boedecker (Pamina)
- Antony Walker (Conductor)
- Ben Taylor (Papageno)
- Dan Rigazzi (Stage Director)
- RUSALKA
- THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
- ARIODANTE
- IL TROVATORE
- DENIS & KATYA
- WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED
- THE MAGIC FLUTE
- THE ROSE ELF
- IN A GROVE
- CARMEN
- BLUE
2425 Liberty Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
P. 412-281-0912Pamina and Tamino are reunited and face the ordeals of water and fire together, protected by the magic flute.
The moonlit glow intensifies with each successive note, illuminating the darkness and guiding the listener on a journey of self-discovery and introspection. Under the enchantment of the magical flute's moonlit glow, time stands still, and reality becomes malleable. The boundaries between dreams and reality blur, allowing one to immerse themselves fully in the beauty and wonder of the music. The listener becomes lost in a sea of melodies, drifting through the mythical realm that exists beyond our mortal comprehension. In this realm of moonlit enchantment, the flute's music becomes a language of the heart, transcending the limitations of words. It speaks directly to the soul, evoking emotions and memories long forgotten. The moonlit glow on the magical flute serves as a guiding light, leading the listener deeper into their own innermost desires and aspirations. As the final notes of the flute fade into the night, the moonlit glow recedes, leaving behind a sense of longing and yearning. The magic of the flute is ephemeral, but its impact lingers, imprinting upon the listener's soul a newfound appreciation for the beauty and power of music. The moonlit glow on the magical flute captures the essence of the night, infusing it with a sense of wonder and enchantment. It illuminates the unseen, unlocks hidden emotions, and provides a portal into a world of dreams and possibilities. To experience the moonlit glow on the magical flute is to surrender oneself to the transformative power of music and embrace the magic that lies within..
Reviews for "Moonlit Whispers: Unveiling the Flute's Mysterious Beauty"
1. John - 2/5 - The performance of "Moonlit Glow on the Magical Flute" was a disappointment. The flute player lacked the necessary skill and technique to bring the music to life. The notes were often off-key and the timing was inconsistent. The overall performance felt amateurish and it was difficult to fully enjoy the experience.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I regret attending "Moonlit Glow on the Magical Flute" as it was a complete waste of time. The flute player seemed unprepared and unenthusiastic about their performance. The whole atmosphere was boring and the music lacked emotion and depth. I would not recommend this event to anyone looking for an engaging and captivating musical experience.
3. Michael - 3/5 - I had high hopes for "Moonlit Glow on the Magical Flute", but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations. While the flute player had decent technical skills, the overall performance lacked creativity and originality. The music felt generic and repetitive, making it difficult to stay engaged throughout the concert. It was an average experience at best.
4. Emily - 2/5 - "Moonlit Glow on the Magical Flute" didn't live up to the hype. The flute player lacked stage presence and failed to connect with the audience. The choice of music was uninspiring and the performance felt monotonous. I was disappointed by the lack of energy and enthusiasm from the musician, making it difficult to fully enjoy the concert.
5. Mark - 1/5 - "Moonlit Glow on the Magical Flute" was a complete letdown. The flute player's technique was subpar, with frequent stumbles and errors throughout the performance. The choice of songs was lackluster, and it felt like a missed opportunity to showcase the true potential of the flute. Overall, it was a tedious and forgettable experience.
Midnight Serenade: Echoing the Moon's Radiance through the Flute's Song