Magic of the ‘Flute’

Thursday, March 9, 2006 | 7:20 a.m.

What: "The Magic Flute"

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday

Where: UNLV's Judy Bayley Theatre

Tickets: $20; $10 for seniors and military; $5 for students

Information: 895-2787

One of the most fascinating elements of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" is the diversity of its appeal.

The music is catchy and enchanting. The mythological themes make it an audience favorite. But it can take seeing it several times to fully grasp the plot and characters.

This weekend the UNLV Opera Theatre presents "The Magic Flute" in English at the Judy Bayley Theatre, and director Christine Seitz said that at every rehearsal she finds "more things that are interesting and unusual about this show.

"Every moment can change," Seitz said. "It launches from high comedy to serious matter. There are the comic elements, and then there are the more serious characters who are trying to do the right thing and be better."

But that is part of the opera's charm. It's as entertaining as it is perplexing. Some deem the opera's wild plot twists to be nonsensical while others enjoy exploring their depths.

The opera was Mozart's last. It was completed and performed two months before he died.

Written in the style of the singspiel, in which dialogue is interspersed between music, the opera was a collaboration between Mozart and Emanuel Schikaneder, who was running the Theater auf der Wieden in Vienna, Austria. At the time the government was clamping down on the secretive Freemasonry movement, and this was a way to spread its ideas. Both Mozart and Schikaneder were Masons.

Today production sets and performances vary. Some companies focus heavily on the fantasy elements while others focus on the Masonic rituals.

"Ours has much more to do with the Masonic theme," Seitz said. "Mozart was really intrigued by the ideals of the Masons and wanting to have truth, virtue and reason be the model by which people live by."

The production is rife with Masonic ritual, philosophy and symbolism, including three ladies, three spirits, three chords used and the opera, in the key of E flat, has three flats. Adding to that, three pillars were included in the set design.

Thom Bamblauskas designed the set for UNLV that includes a large substantial building with a checker-floored banquet hall and tall prominent columns. The set is converted throughout the performance into a fantasy, forestlike land.

This is the only full opera to be presented by UNLV Opera Theatre this season. Its annual fall program includes scenes from noted operas with no sets. Its spring program is a concert version of an opera. Last season it presented Mozart's "Don Giovanni."

Seitz said "The Magic Flute" is a piece "that speaks to everyone, children through elderly."

"Some of the music is terrifically charming. There is the comic element and running gags. The very next moment you can be in a very solemn, ritualistic setting. The next, Pamina (one of the main characters) is ready to commit suicide."