The Magic Flute opens Wednesday, November 3

November 3-27 at Lyric Opera of Chicago

CHICAGO (11/3/21)—A prince's valiant quest leads to love at first sight. But to prove his worth for marriage, he must first survive daring trials of wisdom and devotion. The Magic Flute, Mozart's final opera, is full of gods and monsters, compassion and revenge, love and death—it is both a fanciful fairy tale and a profound reflection on spiritual enlightenment.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents a bold, new-to-Chicago production that pays homage to the 1920's silent movies and German expressionism, while remaining faithful to the magic the opera's title promises. Created by the team of Suzanne Andrade and Barrie Kosky and directed in Chicago by Tobias Ribitzki, The Magic Flute is a cinematic experience unlike any opera Lyric has produced.

Chicago native Karen Kamensek makes her Lyric debut conducting the Lyric Opera Orchestra in interpreting Mozart's captivating and familiar score. Starring Ying Fang as Pamina, Lila Dufy as the Queen of the Night, Pavel Petrov as Tamino, Huw Montague Rendall as Papageno, Tareq Nazmi as Sarastro, and Brenton Ryan as Monostatos.

View Lyric’s The Magic Flute program book here.

View Lyric’s The Magic Flute music information summary here.

View The Magic Flute images here

Please utilize Lyric Opera's online press room, where you can easily access the latest images, artwork, and video files, plus press releases—all in one place. We've introduced a password-protected area within the press room to enable media access to images.

A high-resolution video trailer will also be posted soon to Lyric's YouTube channel.

Performance dates for The Magic Flute are November 3, 7, 11, 14, 17, 19, and 27 at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N Wacker Dr., Chicago. Performance times vary.

For tickets and information call 312.827.5600 or go to lyricopera.org/flute.

The Magic Flute is performed in German with projected English texts. Running time is 2 hours and 40 minutes, including one 25-minute intermission.

Lyric's presentation of Mozart's The Magic Flute is generously made possible by The Negaunee Foundation, Nancy & Sanfred Koltun, Liz Stiffel, the Gramma Fisher Foundation of Marshalltown, Iowa, Mr. & Mrs. Dietrich M. Gross, and Randy L. & Melvin R.* Berlin.
*deceased

Lyric Opera of Chicago thanks its Official Airline, American Airlines.

Lyric Opera of Chicago is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

Lyric’s presentation of Mozart’s The Magic Flute is generously made possible by

About Lyric

Lyric Opera of Chicago is where the world sings — and where Chicago comes alive.

Under the leadership of General Director, President & CEO John Mangum and Music Director Enrique Mazzola, Lyric stands at the intersection of artistic excellence and civic purpose, harnessing the full power of opera — voice, orchestra, stagecraft, and story — to illuminate the questions, emotions, and experiences that define us as human beings. Nearly 75 seasons of world-class performances have made Lyric one of the greatest opera companies in the world. What drives us now is what has always driven us: the belief that this art form, at its best, can move people in ways nothing else can.

Lyric is also Chicago’s partner — in its neighborhoods, its schools, and its communities — through education, engagement, and a relentless commitment to making opera accessible, relevant, and irresistible to everyone. At the heart of that commitment is The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, which trains the artists who will carry this art form into its future. Every night when the curtain rises, Lyric reminds this city — and the world — why live performance still matters.

Lyric Opera of Chicago doesn’t just present opera, it redefines what opera can be. It’s where Chicago comes to be moved, inspired, and connected.

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