Houston Grand Opera Opens The Magic Flute
On February 4, 2022, Houston Grand Opera (HGO) opens Mozart’s classic The Magic Flute with bells and whistles. Masked guests at the premises of The Wortham Center and throughout the performance was definitely a whole new experience but totally worth the experience.
Barrie Kosky and Suzanne Andrade’s wildly inventive production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, originally scheduled for the 2019-20 season, finally rounded out the HGO winter repertoire this February. The performance received constant applause from the packed auditorium to this silent‐film-inspired visual spectacle. It incorporated a live performance with a magical animated world. “Never seen anything like this,” shared an attendee. The fable centered around noble Prince Tamino and bird-catcher Papageno’s quest to rescue Pamina, the Queen of the Night’s daughter. During their journey, the two are tested as they overcome evil to discover the truth.
This incredible performance is lead by four incredible HGO Studio alumni. Norman Reinhardt as Tamino, Andrea Carroll as Pamina, Thomas Glass as Papageno, and Anthony Robin Schneider as Sarastro/Speaker. Rising soprano Rainelle Krause makes her HGO debut as the Queen of the Night. Dame Jane Glover, who previously conducted HGO’s The Elixir of Love in 2016, conducts.
The original production of this version of The Magic Flute was created by Komische Oper Berlin.
Glamorously dressed masked guests sat through the two hours and 41 minutes with one intermission. The opera is sung in German with projected English translation.
Houstonians are truly blessed to experience this and grateful for Houston Grand Opera (HGO) to be known as one of the largest, most innovative, and most highly acclaimed opera companies in the United States. It has succeeded in fulfilling its mission to advance the operatic art, to serve the Houston community, and to be a global leader in the future of opera.
For more information on The Magic Flute performance dates and timings and it’s upcoming events please visit https://www.houstongrandopera.org/.
Photos by Steve Pisano. Courtesy of Opera Philadelphia.
