January 13, 2009 7:48 AM
Papageno/Papagena: Opera celebrates marriage
I took my son Ben to see Mozart's Die Zauberflote - The Magic Flute - at the Berkeley Opera in 1993. He was only eight years old - but he was mesmerized by the spectacle and the music.
Now, 15 years later he is in final rehearsals for Liberty University's production of The Magic Flute, playing Papageno, one of the best-loved characters in opera. In this fantastic tale, Papageno is a birdcatcher by trade who longs for his perfect mate and is ready to end his life because he can't find her - but played for comedy.
Even those who are not opera buffs (and who knows what you might find if you explored a little? I saw my first opera when I was 28 years old) will LOVE the following clip - the famous scene where Papageno is finally united with his own Papagena - because of its celebration of marriage and parenthood. If you don't have time for the lead-up, start at 4:48 for the joyful Papageno/Papagena duet:
If you live near Lynchburg and are going to see The Magic Flute, Ben is in Cast B. Our family is going January 24.
Posted in Family, Marriage, Music | Permalink
Comments
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My kids like the Classical Kids CD based on Die Zauberflote, and of course they LOVE it when I sing along with the Queen of the Night in her most famous aria... if I'm interpreting their groans correctly, that is...
Posted by: Marian | January 13, 2009 12:01 PM
One of my fondest memories of Undergrad was playing in the pit for this opera. It was such a light, funny story with really good, challenging music. Congratulations to your son!
Posted by: Angie | January 13, 2009 6:11 PM
