Metropolitan Opera broadcast of Mozart’s ‘Die Zauberföte’ set Oct. 21, 23
The Rehoboth Beach Film Society will present the Metropolitan Opera broadcast of Mozart's sublime fairy tale, “Die Zauberföte,” at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, and at 12:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 23, at the Cinema Art Theater. Performances will be shown as recorded presentations one week after being filmed live. Audience members are allowed to eat and drink concessions sold onsite in the theater. They will also appreciate the theater’s wonderful sound quality and comfortable seats.
Music Director Emeritus James Levine conducts the full-length German version, featuring Julie Taymor's spectacular production which captures both the opera's earthy comedy and its noble mysticism. The outstanding cast includes Golda Schultz as Pamina, Kathryn Lewek as Queen of the Night, Charles Castronovo as Tamino, Markus Werba as Papageno, Christian Van Horn as Speaker and René Pape as Sarastro. [Sung in German with English subtitles, runtime: 3 hours, with one intermission].
The opera was written for a theater located just outside Vienna with the clear intention of appealing to audiences from all walks of life. The story is told in a Singspiel (song-play) format characterized by separate musical numbers connected by dialogue and stage activity. This is an excellent structure for navigating the diverse moods, ranging from solemn to lighthearted, of the story and score. The composer and librettist were both Freemasons, a fraternal order whose membership is held together by shared moral and metaphysical ideals, and Masonic imagery is used throughout the work. The story, however, is as universal as any fairy tale.
Admission is $25 for adults, $22 for film society members, Met members and seniors 65 and above, and $15 for students with ID and children 12 and under. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Online reservations may be made with MasterCard or VISA. Admission will be available at the door for any unsold seats. Doors open at 12 p.m.
For more information, go to www.rehobothfilm.com or call 302-645-9095.
