Merry Christmas opera family!
We wake up early to feel the romance of the past. Once a year they bring out vintage subway cars and actually run them. I love this. Next year I’d like to dress up like a 30’s gangster, but probably won’t. I’m feeling a little like Santa after pancakes and Just hope I don’t get stuck in the subway doors.
We have tickets for The Magic Flute! It’s an abridged version sung in English for the holidays, but I know ahead of time so is still a lot of fun! Interestingly, the queen of the night aria is all over TV commercials this year and feeling more ubiquitous than special.
The setting is full of Masonic imagery, giant puppets, and kabuki style dress. There are a lot of kids in the audience and it’s holding their attention.
The next morning is Christmas Day and we abandon present wrappings under a small tree to walk thru a chilly but abandoned central park. Red ladders are beside the ponds, just in case. We visit the one place open today, The Jewish Museum. The Malevich exhibit reminds me of the masonic symbols from last night and is a singular meditation on monochromatic shapes.
So what is The Magic Flute all about? It begins with Tamino rescued from a dragon by three ladies who work for the queen of the night. Meanwhile the queen of the nights daughter Pamina is being held captive by Sarastro. The queen of the night gives Tamino a magical item to help rescue Pamina, who he now loves after seeing her portrait. The plot and characters are mysterious in a magical world of ritual. The subplot romance between Tamino’s companion Papageno and Papagena a most delightful courtship.
Listen for:
Flute solo (Chelsea Knox performed tonight)
Notes on the production
Composer………………………….……. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Queen of the Night…………………..Kathryn Lewek
Tamino……………………………….…….. Ben Bliss
Pamina………………………………..……. Erin Morley
Papageno…………………………….…….Nathan Gunn
Papagena……………………………..…….Ashley Emerson
Sarastro………………………………………Morris Robinson
Monostatos………………………….……. Brenton Ryan
1st lady……………………………………..… Gabriella Reyes
2nd lady……………………………………..…Emily D’Angelo
3rd lady…………………………………..…… Maria Zifchak
Conductor………………………………..….. Harry Bicket
Metropolitan Opera
12/24/18