Boston Opera Collaborative presents Mozart's The Magic Flute

Friday, July 18, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Friday, July 25, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 3:00 PM

Boston, MA — Tickets are on sale for Boston Opera Collaborative’s production of The Magic Flute, sung in English. Performances will be held July 18-20 and 25-27 at Boston Latin School Auditorium, 78 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 pm, Sunday performances at 3:00 pm. Dr. Teresa Neff of the Boston Conservatory will give a pre-show lecture at 2:15pm on July 20. Tickets are $25 General Admission, $15 students, $12.50 each for groups of 10 or more, and free for children under 10.

The Magic Flute is one of Mozart’s greatest and most enduring operas. The story — a quest for love and redemption — encompasses everything from unrequited love and teen suicide to Masonry and worldly brotherhood. In it, Mozart musically explores almost every conceivable style of his time, from folk tunes and Lutheran church hymns to virtuosic diva arias.

The BOC production sets Flute in a Victorian era mental institution, giving the audience a new take on the Opera’s numerous fantastical elements. Director Josiah George’s staging emphasizes the story’s unwieldy emotions and the power dynamics between men and women. “Each character understands and deals with their world in a different way,” says George. “In the course of their journeys they experience joy, despair, and the seemingly magical ability of human beings to change and ultimately heal one another.”

The Magic Flute will conclude BOC’s successful season of Mozart operas, which included Don Giovanni and an original adaptation of scenes from The Marriage of Figaro. The group’s productions are known for their high energy, impressive vocals, and simple-but-innovative production aesthetics. BOC provides opportunities to Boston-based emerging artists in exchange for substantial help managing the company’s operations. “Our group is unique,” says Andrew Ryker, the group’s Artistic Director. “There is no Chicago Opera Collaborative; there is no Seattle Opera Collaborative. No where else will you find such a large group of singers who have come together, taken a long hard look at the challenges they face as emerging artists, and decided to do something about it.” Since 2005 the group has built momentum: BOC now performs 3 major works a year and boasts members who have organized opera festivals, won national competitions, and traveled the world to perform at young artist festivals. “We need to stay working,” says Ryker. “Our talents and careers have no shelf-life.” BOC aims to expand its operations to become New England’s premier young artist development program.

The Magic Flute is conducted by Michael Sakir, stage directed by Josiah George. Sakir is a graduate of Oberlin Music Conservatory and a graduate conducting student at Boston Conservatory. He is the current Music Director of Juventas New Music Ensemble. George has directed operas and musicals throughout New England including at Riverside Theater Works and the Actor’s Workshop. He is the Assistant Production Manager/Stage Manager for Boston Lyric Opera, and can be spotted performing as an undertaker with Boston’s Ghosts & Gravestones Tours.

For information about the cast, company, and show please visit www.bostonoperacollaborative.org.

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Boston Opera Collaborative is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to providing opportunities for emerging artists — including singers, directors, conductors, and theater technicians — to bridge the gap between higher education and a career in the arts.

Members of Boston Opera Collaborative share in the management of the organization, developing their own skills as artists and administrators through productions and professional development.