first performed September 30, 1791, at the Theater auf de Wieden, Vienna
first performed by West Bay Opera Fall 1964

A mother loses her daughter, kidnapped by priests who guide her and her intended through trials of conflicting emotions. The Magic Flute combines Mozart’s stunning music and Schikaneder’s insightful libretto to present us with the eternal dichotomies of human behavior for both our delight and philosophical enrichment. Intrigue, laughter, and lust run through the hit parade of memorable melodies in this, the last Mozartian opera, where genius and levity debate issues, raising many questions and providing fewer answers.