High-tech touch to opera in Mozart’s Magic work

Mar 21 2008 by Andrew Baldwin, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

SWANSEA City Opera is making a return visit to the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield with Mozart’s final masterpiece, The Magic Flute, on Sunday, March 30.

The work is one of the company’s favourites, but presents particular challenges, as artistic director Bridget Gill explains.

“The Magic Flute is not often toured, despite being one of the most popular operas in the repertoire, because of its large cast and the technical difficulties it poses,” she says.

“For this production we have looked towards modern technology for a solution. We are very pleased to be working with Shanaz Gulzar, the designer of the video graphics.

“She has helped us solve the problem of some of the more magical elements of the opera.”

Swansea City Ballet has visited the LBT twice before, with Donizetti’s The Daughter of the Regiment in February last year and Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers in 2006.

The Magic Flute, composed in 1791, includes tales of young lovers, sorcerers and magic in an opera rich in symbolism.

The story is a profound look at man’s search for love and his struggle to attain wisdom and virtue. It includes the virtuosic arias of the Queen of the Night and the folk song-like melodies of the bird catcher Papageno.

Swansea City Opera, which has toured extensively across the UK since its launch in 2004, will sing with its own orchestra.

The Magic Flute begins at 7pm.

Tickets: £19, £15, £10 (concessions £2 off). Box office on 01484 430528 or online at www.lawrencebatleytheatre.co.uk