February 14, 2011 8:56 PM
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.
Fifteen years later he was in 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 will LOVE the following clip from New York City Opera's 1987 production of Die Zauberflöte - 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:
Die Zauberflöte The Magic Flute Papageno Papagena
Posted in Music, Valentine's Day | Permalink
Comments
WOW WHAT AN AMAZING ROLE- you must be so proud!
Posted by: priest's wife | February 14, 2011 9:17 PM
oh, I think the way I wrote that it sounded like the YouTube clip was Ben. It was actually New York City Opera's 1987 production of Die Zauberflöte. I went back and attributed it.
While Ben is singing professionally, he's still studying - on his way to grad school next year. In opera, a man's voice doesn't even begin to mature until late 20s. It's really a career that takes many years to build.
Posted by: Barbara | February 15, 2011 6:06 AM
