Opera Theatre to Present Mozart's 'Die Zauberflöte,' or 'The Magic Flute' Tonight

Photo by Christopher MacRae

University of Arkansas Opera Theatre

Under the direction of Professor David Malis, the University of Arkansas Opera Theatre presents Mozart's Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute). This semi-staged production will include the University Symphony Orchestra (Robert Mueller, conductor), Men's Chorus (Jeffrey Allen Murdock, conductor), and will be joined by special guest artist LeRoy Lehr (Metropolitan Opera). The music will be performed in the original German with English subtitles and narration by professor Henry Runkles. 

The performance is at 7:30 tonight, Friday, April 7, in the Faulkner Performing Arts Center on campus.

The Magic Flute was originally composed by Wolgang Amadeus Mozart with libretto by Emanuel Schikandeder. The work premiered in Vienna, just two months prior to Mozart's death in the winter of 1791. This masterpiece by Mozart has stood the test of time and is a beloved operetic work that has been performed around the world. A detailed synopsis of the story can be found from the Metropolitan Opera.

The UA Opera Theatre are joined by legendary operetic bass LeRoy Lehr of the Met. A founding member of the groundbreaking and innovative Center Opera (which later became Minnesota Opera), LeRoy's early career included new and improvisational opera with that group, as well as traditional operatic and orchestral work throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany and the U.K. — even Moscow, USSR, in 1991 with a U.S. State Department-sponsored tour of The Balcony, an American contemporary opera.

LeRoy Lehr is familiar to live Metropolitan Opera broadcast audiences as Doctor Grenvil in La Traviata, Hans Schwartz in Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg, and the Jailer in Tosca, roles which he has repeated over several broadcast seasons. Other Met appearances in recent seasons include War and Peace, Werther, Andrea Chenier, Salome, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Sly, The Gambler, The Queen of Spades, The Rake's Progress, The Bartered Bride, The Great Gatsby, Susannah, Le Nozze di Figaro, La Boheme, Nabucco, Pelleas et Melisande and Romeo et Juliette. Mr. Lehr has also performed at New York City Opera as the King of Clubs in The Love for Three Oranges, as Horace Giddens in Regina, and as Sarastro in The Magic Flute.

Tickets for the event can be purchased through the Faulkner Performing Arts Center box office. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 students, faculty, and seniors. For more information please contact the Department of Music at (479) 575-4701 or email them at music@uark.edu.