In two performances at Diana Wortham Theatre (8 p.m. on Friday, April 8, and 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 10), Asheville Lyric Opera will present The Magic Flute<\/i>, a two-act opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.<\/p>\n
The Magic Flute<\/i> transports audiences to an enchanted world where the classic struggle between dark and goodness takes place. It is a combination of high comedy and drama in which Prince Tamino must save Princess Pamina from her evil mother. To aid him on his noble quest, he is given a magic flute. The true essence of the opera is in its portrayal of mankind\u2019s education, from chaos through religious superstition to enlightenment.<\/p>\n
Tenor Jacob Ryan Wright will be joining the cast as Tamino. He made his debut this season with North Carolina Opera as Gastone in La traviata<\/i>. He previously portrayed Tamino in a production of the opera by the University of Michigan Opera Theatre.<\/p>\n
Jacob told The Laurel<\/i>, \u201cI love the journey on which Tamino travels. At the beginning of the opera, you see a young man who is frightened and running from a dragon. He passes out and has to be saved by three women. From this point and throughout the rest of the opera, you see Tamino grow in bravery. And by the end, he is willing and able to undergo the most grueling of trials to prove his worth\u2026 I love that it is so relatable to the human experience!\u201d<\/p>\n
In other roles, bass-baritone Adrian Smith will portray Papageno, coloratura soprano Megan Brunning is cast as the Queen of the Night, and bass Geoffrey Cox as Sarastro.<\/p>\n
The production will be under the direction of Thomas Joiner, who currently conducts the Furman Symphony Orchestra in orchestral, operatic, and oratorio performances, and also serves as the music director and conductor of the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra. He previously served as a concertmaster of the Brevard Music Festival Orchestra and has performed with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and the Louisville Orchestra.<\/p>\n