The Magic Flute

November 03. 2021 - November 27. 2021

November 03. 2021 - November 27. 2021

New-to-Chicago Production The Magic Flute

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Mozart’s miraculous blend of the human and the supernatural, comedy and romance, draws us into a world where a prince, Tamino, and a princess, Pamina, triumph over every obstacle in their search for wisdom and enlightenment, and are finally united in love. This is a gloriously varied score, with the lovers’ soulful arias, the stratospheric vocal fireworks of the villainous Queen of the Night, the subterranean depths of the formidable high priest Sarastro, and the folk-like melodies of the lovable birdcatcher, Papageno. Lyric brings you a critically acclaimed production that pays homage to the silent movies of the 1920s, praised by The Guardian as “a joyous yet profound staging in which animation takes centre stage…[taking] live video to new heights on the opera stage.”

  • Language: Sung in German with projected English texts
  • Running Time: 2 hours 40 minutes with 1 intermission
  • Location: Lyric Opera House

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Videos

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Stage Magic in Lyric's production of The Magic Flute

Articles

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Get to know: Mozart’s The Magic Flute

Lyric’s production of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) is playing November 3-27, so you could possibly be seeing it on a very cold night. We can guarantee that when you leave the theater, you’ll feel like the sun is shining — that’s how totally exhilarating a great performance of this opera can be.
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By Laura Sauer

Kosky and 1927’s Magic Flute: A complete reinvention celebrates the opera’s roots

Although Melbourne-born director Barrie Kosky has been involved in theater and opera professionally for over 30 years, he didn’t direct The Magic Flute until 2012 when he began as Komische Oper Berlin’s new intendant and artistic director. When the Komische Oper programmed The Magic Flute as part of Kosky’s inaugural season, he realized that he needed to find a method with which to present the work that would delight audiences while resonating with his artistic vision.
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Lyric Libations: THE MAGIC FLUTE

Whether you're mixing up drinks with your favorite feather-brained sidekick or falling in love at first sight with a beautiful Prince or Princess, these creative cocktails can only add to the magic of Mozart's music.
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Q&A with conductor Karen Kamensek

Conductor Karen Kamensek has worked in many of the world’s top opera houses including The Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, English National Opera, and more. This season, she returns to her native Chicago to make her much-anticipated Lyric debut in Mozart’s The Magic Flute.
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Moving moments of the 2021/22 Season

Missing opera season? We are too. With two Lyric premieres — Florencia en el Amazonas and Fire Shut Up in My Bones — as well as exciting new productions and role debuts, there were countless memorable moments both onstage and off. In order to tide us over until the fall, here are a few of our favorite highlights from the 2021/22 Season.
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The Magic Flute

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. & Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2021/22 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved.
The music featured is generously furnished by Warner Classics.

The Magic Flute Commentary by Colin Ure

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Meet the artists

Production by Suzanne Andrade and Barrie Kosky
Concept by “1927” (Suzanne Andrade and Paul Barritt) and Barrie Kosky

 

* Lyric debut

Program book

Go inside this production of The Magic Flute with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

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

The Negaunee Foundation

Nancy & Sanfred Koltun

Liz Stiffel

Gramma Fisher Foundation of Marshalltown, Iowa

Mr. & Mrs. Dietrich M. Gross

Randy L. & Melvin R.* Berlin

Additional support is provided by Lyric Opera of Chicago's Production Circle.

A production of the Komische Oper Berlin, co-produced by Los Angeles Opera and Minnesota Opera.

*deceased

Photo: Cory Weaver/Los Angeles Opera