Apollo’s Fire plays Mozart’s Magic Flute @ Oberlin College 3/22/2012
Reviewed by Laura Kennelly
Sounding and looking rather like an 18th-century version of recent minimalist musicals seen at Cleveland’s 14th Street Theatre (Lizzie Borden, Passing Strange, [Title of Show]), this semi-staged production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute at Oberlin College’s Finney Chapel provided an evening of visual delight and scintillating vocal and instrumental performance.
It was light, it was lyrical, it was in English (hence easy to understand for everyone) and it even included a glockenspiel.
The production, conducted by Jeannette Sorrell, flowed smoothly (as we, now spoiled by the general excellence of the Apollo’s Fire orchestras and singers, expect). Outstanding performances included those of Ross Hauck, who sang secure in voice and presence as Tamino, the love-lorn lad with a quest to win his lady-love, and Tess Wakim, who warbled charmingly as Pamina, the object of his affection. Papageno, the comic rascal who (in this production) literally had his lips under lock and key at one point, showed energy and charm as the irresistible bird-catcher, Papageno. Lianne Coble was a fine and saucy Papagena (Papageno’s true love). Coble, Amanda Powell, and Racquel Winnica Young sparkled as the Queen of the Night’s three ladies who instruct (and tease) Tamino when he first sets out on his quest. Rachel E. Copeland showed an air of command as the Queen of the Night.
Stage director Linda Brovsky made clever use of banners and signs and symbols (and even of the ensemble orchestra and chorus who held up signs and items) to create more “suggestions of settings” than actual settings; it worked and seemed all that was necessary to maintain the illusion that Tamino and Papageno were facing task after tas as they moved from “place” to “place.” The production also benefitted by addition of several period-evoking dances performed by Carlos Fittante and Robin Gilbert.
Next up for Apollo’s Fire? Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, Nos. 3, 4 and 6 (plus Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins) will be offered Wed 4/25 – Tue 5/1 at area venues.
For more information or tickets: Call (800) 314-2535 or visit http://www.apollosfire.org for details. Tickets starting at $20. Student, senior, young adult, and group discounts are available.
Laura Kennelly is a freelance arts journalist, a member of the Music Critics Association of North America, and an associate editor of BACH, a scholarly journal devoted to J. S. Bach and his circle.Listening to and learning more about music has been a life-long passion. She knows there’s no better place to do that than the Cleveland area.