Five years after the staging of The Marriage of Figaro, the School of Music and the School of Theatre and Entertainment Arts are putting on another classic opera by Mozart, The Magic Flute, in March. Thanks to the generous support of Dr Helmut Sohmen and Dr Peter Thompson, the Academy has invited guest conductor Nabil Shehata and guest director David Edwards to participate in this production. 

 

Celebrated as Mozart’s final opera, The Magic Flute was first staged in Vienna in 1791, the year of Mozart’s death. According to Professor Nancy Yuen, Head of Vocal Studies of the School of Music, it is a fascinating piece filled with enchanting tunes, including that of the Queen of the Night “Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen”, which is often used as background music of films and commercials. Yuen believes the performance can take the audience on an extraordinary audio-visual journey. 

 

The opera tells the story of two couples – one noble, the other of humble origins – who undergo tests of their love as they experience doubt, separation and rejection. Guest director David Edwards says, “The Magic Flute is a journey in which music of incredible warmth and humanity takes us from darkness to light. Our production aims to convey this universal message in a timeless and enchanting way, exploring the difficulties but also the humour of the trials we all undergo in our search for fulfilment.” 

 

Academy Opera: The Magic Flute Sung in German with English and Chinese surtitles The Production is suitable for audience aged 6 or above

Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Libretto: Emanuel Schikaneder  Conductor: Nabil Shehata* Director: David Edwards* Set Designer: Thomas Umfrid Costume Designers: Cindy Ho Pui-shan, Tracy Giu Yuen-man  Lighting Designer: Billy Tang Production Manager: Monique Hui Kwan-wai

Date：26, 28 & 30.3.2019 | 7:30pm

Venue: Drama Theatre, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

Ticket price：$65-$150