Arts & Life

'The Magic Flute' Reimagined

KCUR | By Julie Denesha

Published November 8, 2013 at 4:38 PM CST

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In 'The Magic Flute' a comic tale of love buffeted by the forces of good and evil. Kathryn Lewek, plays the Queen of the Night.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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Shawn Mathey, as Tamino, is a handsome prince lost in a faraway land. As the opera's opens,Tamino is pursued by a serpent.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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Feigning braveness, Daniel Belcher, as the bird catcher Papageno, claims that he rescued Tamino by strangling the beast with his bare hands.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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Kathryn Lewek, as the Queen of the Night, tells Tamino that she longs to her her daughter Pamina, who has been kidnapped by the evil sorcerer, Sarastro. She promises Tamino that Pamina will be his wife if he can rescue her.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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Tamino charms the creatures of the forest by playing the magic flute that turns sorrow into joy.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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Meeting at last, Lauren Snouffer, as Pamina, and Shawn Mathey, as Tamino, embrace and proclaim their love for each other.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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Dominic Johnson as the first priest warns Tamino and Papageno of the trials of initiation that await them.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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Separated from his companion Tamino, Daniel Belcher, as Papageno, is frustrated by the trials of initiation.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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In secret, Kathryn Lewek, as the Queen of the Night, meets her daughter Lauren Snouffer, as Pamina.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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Kathryn Lewek, as the Queen of the Night, exhorts her daughter Lauren Snouffer, as Pamina, to do her bidding.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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Lauren Snouffer, as Pamina, sings of her love for Tamino.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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Facing many obstacles on his journey, Daniel Belcher, as Papageno, is met by Andrew Gangestad, as the speaker, who charitably offers him wine.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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Disguised as a vulture, Angela Gribble as Papagena, meets Daniel Belcher, as Papageno, and claims he must marry her or be trapped forever.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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Playing his magic flute, Tamino walks through the trials of fire and water.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

The Magic Flute, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, first premiered in Vienna in 1791. A comic tale of love buffeted by the forces of good and evil, the opera is a singspiel, including both spoken dialogue and song.

For the Lyric Opera of Kansas City's production, artist and ceramicist Jun Kaneko, based in Omaha, Neb., designed the fanciful set design and costumes.

Tamino, played by Shawn Mathey, is a handsome prince lost in a faraway land. He's approached by the Queen of the Night, played by Kathryn Lewek, whose daughter Pamina has been kidnapped. The Queen promises Pamina as Tamino's wife if he can rescue her from the evil sorcerer, Sarastro.

Tamino and his companion Papageno, played by Daniel Belcher, set off to save the fair maiden. To aid them on their quest, the Queen of the Night gives Tamino a magic flute that will turn sorrow into joy; Papageno receives a set of magic bells that will bring happiness to all who hear them.

But, there's another side to the story.

The sorcerer Sarastro, played by Jeffrey Beruan, declares he has not kidnapped Pamina. Instead, he says, he's protecting her from her mother's influence. And Sarastro determines that both Tamino and Papageno must be subjected to trials of wisdom to test their worthiness as husbands.

The Lyric Opera of Kansas City presents The Magic Flute, sung in English with German subtitles, November 9 - 17, 2013, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway, Kansas City, Missouri. 816-931-2232.