UNIVERSITY Concert Hall is delighted to present Irish National Opera’s latest production, ‘The Magic Flute’ by Mozart. Irish Chamber Orchestra joins forces once more with Irish National Opera to present this special concert version of one of the most popular and oft-performed operas in history.
Prepare to be spirited away into a fairytale realm of magic, love and humour on the wings of some of Mozart’s most sublime music on Sunday May 19, 8pm.
The Orchestra’s Charlotte Eglington tells us that ‘The Magic Flute’ follows the adventures of Prince Tamino and the bird-catcher Papageno on their quest to rescue The Queen of the Night’s daughter, Pamina.
“Armed with musical instruments enhanced with magical powers, they conquer the trials and tribulations placed in their paths in seeking true happiness and love.
“Peter Whelan conducts this special concert performance at UCH prior to the fully staged opera which opens at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin for May 21 to 25.”
Because of the intensity of performances, for the Limerick show American soprano Audrey Luna is the Queen of the Night on Sunday 19, taking over from Cork soprano Kim Sheehan.
Luna will be joined by an artist familiar to Limerick audiences: Anna Devlin sings the role of her daughter Pamina (‘a voice as liquid and sparkling as the best champagne,’ The Times). Her love interest Tamino will be sung in Limerick by English tenor Nick Pritchard and baritone Gavan Ring is the bird catcher Papageno for all performances.
Other songbirds are Rachel Croash, Sarah Richmond, Raphaela Mangan, Andrew Gavin, Amy Ní Fhearraigh, Padraic Rowan, Ferghal Curtis, Robert McAllister, Matthew Mannion and Peter O’Reilly, bringing this fabulous tale to life.
Fergus Sheil is artistic director and the Irish National Opera’s artistic partner Peter Whelan will conduct the Plassey based ICO.
Book on www.uch.ie for this unique staging, directed by Caroline Staunton.
