THE MAGIC FLUTE |
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DIRECTOR'S NOTE
The story of The Magic Flute is essentially about the journey to love and enlightenment, the journey many of us strive for in this life. Each character is on their own expedition searching for the strength to grow and evolve and learn a little more about themselves. As audience members we can relate to their struggles, their triumphs, their heartbreak and their joy. The story also examines the forces of good and evil and the grave dangers of the lust for power.It looks at how both good and evil lives in all of us and how we have the power to exercise one or the other or perhaps both. The story also serves to teach us small lessons about living life as a decent person. One of my favorite lines in the show is, “If all liars had their mouths padlocked the world would be a better place”. I needn’t draw any focus to why this statement is most pertinent to this very hour. One of the greatest gifts in this production besides the amazing cast and creatives is the beautiful setting in which we find ourselves tonight. There is a “magical” element to this property that naturally lends itself to telling the story of The Magic Flute. And, finally, it is the opera itself that remains to be one of Mozart’s most “Magical” works, with it’s luscious harmonies and beautiful arias and ensembles that perfectly reflect the inner lives of all the characters. Now I ask you to sit back and enjoy the journey.
Rob Herriot
THE MAGIC FLUTE SYNOPSIS
ACT I
Tamino, a prince, is pursued by a serpent. The Three Ladies, who serve the Queen of the Night, come to his rescue and kill the serpent. They stand over the unconscious Tamino, discussing which of them should guard the prince and which should go and tell the queen, finally deciding that all three of them will go. Tamino awakes as the bird catcher Papageno arrives and introduces himself to the prince, saying that he was the one to slay the serpent. The Ladies return and punish Papageno’s lie by placing a padlock on his mouth. They give Tamino a portrait of the Queen’s daughter Pamina, who, they tell him, is being held by the evil Sarastro. He instantly falls in love with Pamina’s portrait. The Queen of the Night appears and charges Tamino with rescuing her daughter. The Ladies give Tamino and Papageno magic instruments to protect them on their journey. The prince is given a flute while the bird catcher receives a set of bells. Joining them are three Spirits who guide their way. At Sarastro’s palace, Sarastro’s slave Monostatos brings the captured Pamina and ties her up. Papageno, sent ahead by Tamino, enters and the slave and the bird catcher frighten each other away. Papageno soon returns however, and tells Pamina that her mother has sent Tamino to rescue her and that he is in love with her. She is overjoyed to hear the news and, upon learning of Papageno’s desire to find a wife, the two sing of their hopeful life with a husband or wife. The Spirits guide Tamino to Sarastro’s temple, telling him that if he is steadfast, patient, and silent he will defeat Sarastro. Tamino is denied entrance at two of the three temple doors. At the third door, a high priest appears and tells Tamino that it is the Queen, not Sarastro, who is evil. Assured that Pamina is alive, Tamino plays his flute to summon Papageno. As wild animals are charmed by its sounds, he hears Papageno’s pipe in response and runs toward the sound. While trying to escape, Papageno and Pamina are captured by Monostatos. But Papageno plays his magic bells and Monostatos is left helpless. Sarastro enters to great fanfare. Papageno trembles in fear but Pamina tells him that they must speak the truth. She tells Sarastro that she was trying to escape because of Monostatos’ unwanted advances. Sarastro says that he cannot return her to her mother, but promises her eventual freedom after she has learned the ways of virtue. He punishes Monostatos, and orders Papageno and Tamino to be veiled and led into the temple for purification.
ACT II
The High Priest tells Tamino and Papageno will undergo the initiation rites and that Pamina and Tamino will be married. Sarastro prays over the two that their journeys will be safe ones. They are then led into the Temple to start their trials. The Queen of the Night is reunited with Pamina after infiltrating the Temple. She gives Pamina a dagger and tells her she must kill Sarastro. The Queen leaves and Sarastro
arrives and assures Pamina that the Temple harbours only love. Pamina tries to kill Sarastro but fails after being overcome by his words. Papageno and Tamino are led to a cell where they are sworn to silence. Papageno at first refuses to undergo the trials, but when the High Priest tells him that, if he does, Sarastro will give him a wife named Papagena, he agrees. Tamino and Papageno are told that to pass the test they should not trust women and that they must not speak to them. The Three Ladies appear and try to get them to talk. Then tell them that the Queen is on her way. Papageno is scared but Tamino tells him to be quiet and refuses to speak to them. Tamino and Papageno are still in the midst of their trial. Papageno is tempted by an old woman who offers him water. She disappears when the Spirits arrive to bring them actual refreshments and guide Tamino through the rest of the trials. Pamina enters and tries to speak with Tamino. When he only responds in silence she believes that he no longer loves her and she leaves in despair. Sarastro predicts Tamino’s successful completion of the trials. Sarastro separates Tamino and Pamina, saying that they must remain apart while he undergoes the final two trials. After they leave, the High Priest enters and tells Papageno the God’s have been merciful and will not punish him. The Priest leaves and the old woman reappears with wine. After drinking and playing with his bells the Old Woman tells him that if he doesn’t marry her he will remain alone forever. After Papageno reluctantly agrees, she magically becomes the young and beautiful Papagena. But before he can embrace her, she disappears again. The Spirits find Pamina attempting to commit suicide with her mother’s dagger, thinking that Tamino has abandoned her. They take the dagger from her and assure Pamina that she will see Tamino soon. Tamino enters the trial area and says that he is ready to be tested. Suddenly Pamina arrives and declares she will face the trials of fire and water with him. Pamina and Tamino rush toward each other and she shares loving words. United, they pass through the final two trials unscathed. Papageno, in despair at his loss of Papagena, attempts to commit suicide. The Spirits arrive and tell him he should play his magic bells to call her. Once he does, she instantly appears and the two sing a stammering duet of their wedded bliss soon to come. Monostatos appears with the Queen and her Ladies, they plot to destroy the temple, but Sarastro appears with Tamino and Pamina at his side, and the evil ones are defeated. Sarastro unites the young lovers and everyone gives thanks to the gods for the mercy of a loving heart.
NO STRINGS THEATRE
In collaboration with industry professionals, No Strings Theatre aims to develop, empower and inspire the next generation of performing artists. Assuring an equitable space, we are committed to fostering anti-racist, non-biased theatrical practices while reducing socio-economic barriers. Our practices facilitate an inclusive space for community engagement in the arts.
For more information, visit www.nostringstheatre.com
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At Opera by Request we perform all manner of operatic repertoire in concert format, not such an unusual concept. The twist is that the repertoire is decided by the participants, not the company directorate. For singers, we’re an opportunity to learn and perform a role for the first time in a comfortable and supportive environment. For audiences, we present affordable concert performances by singers in the roles that most inspire them.
To learn more about Opera by Request, visit operabyrequest.ca.
Around and Behind the Scenes
Costumes
Kathleen Mills
Heather McGrath (Lady's Costumes)
Props
Kathleen Mills
Graphic Designers
Glenn Sevillo
Social Media Marketing
Matthew Seeley
Auditions Admin assistant, Silent Auction fundraising manager
Janina Dziedziola
Front of House and Concessions
Janina Dziedziola, Don Dos Santos, Eulalie Walling-Sampson, Karen Sampson, Conroy Williams, Ben MacDonald
Photography
Greg King
Videography
Kennon Vaughan, Human Planet Media
Multimedia
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Willowdale Presbyterian Church and Monika Schneider, space coordinator
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