The Musical
Society of Nigeria (MUSON) indeed, celebrates perfection in the Arts in all its
ramifications. This was made visible during their performance of The Magic
Flute recently.
The Shell Nigeria
Hall was filled to be brim due to the large number of spectators (both MUSON
members and non members) who cheered the actors that performed the opera in German.
Produced and
directed by Thomas Kanitz, the fairy tale, romantic opera was done in two acts.
Act one opens with Tamino (Guchi Egbunine), a handsome and cute prince who lost
his way in a distant land is being pursued by a serpent. He faints due to
fatigue after crying for a long time for help. Luckily for him, help comes when
three of the Queen of the night’s ladies (Naomi Samuel, Chika Ogbuji and Fatima
Anyekema) killed the serpent. Three of them
find Tamino attractive but one of them tries to send others away from the scene
so as to be alone with him.
As Tamino recovers,
Papageno (John Paul Ochei), a popular bird-catcher tries to take the credit of
killing the serpent, so the ladies punish him for that. They show Tamino a
portrait of a young maiden, the Queen of the night’s daughter Pamina (Prisca
Enyi), who is held hostage by a wicked sorcerer, Sarastro (Obinna Ifediora) and
he falls in love with her instantly. The Queen chooses Tamino to deliver her
daughter from the sorcerer and promises to reward him by giving Tamina to him
to marry.
Papageno is set
free from his punishment by the three ladies who give him a set of chimes and
Tamino a golden flute which are magical instruments that will guide them
through their journey on which three young boys/spirits (Francesca Boyo, Olaide
Oyewunmi and Maryann Agetu) will accompany and lead them.Will they be able to
rescue Tamina?
They face tough
encounter with a British officer Monostatos (John Lucien Eclou) who become an
impediment to their mission. Papageno entertains Monostatos and his slaves by
playing his magic flute but Sarastro surfaces, then Tamina confesses that she
wants to escape due to Monostatos advances to date her. Instead of Sarastro to
punish Monostatos, he orders that Tamino and Papageno be taken into the Temple
of Ordeals, where they must prove that they are worthy of the higher happiness.
They are sent off in a glorious chorus.
Act two was
full of intrigues as Sarastro insists that Tamino and Pamina must go through
ordeals in order for them to be worthy of entering the Temple of Light and
marry each other. He then sings a prayer of protection to the gods of Isis and
Osiris.
The Queen of
the Night appears and frightens Monostatos who lustfully gazes at Pamina and tries
to kiss her while she is asleep. She equips her with a weapon to kill Sarastro but
Pamina confesses to Sarastro who forgives her.
Here, Papageno
and Tamino are tested and Tamino appears more successful than Papageno.
Undeterred, Papageno plays his magic bells and sings ditty about his desire for
a wife. An old woman appears and asks him to make a vow to her, he reluctantly
promises to love her and she immediately turns to a young lady, Papagena. He
tries to hug her but she resists him for he is not worthy of her.
During his test
of silence, Pamina threatens to kill herself but was restrained by the three
spirits when she misinterprets his silence for love gone sour.
Protected by
the music of the magic flute, they unite in peace and overcome the final trial.
In another
scene, Papageno tries to commit suicide after giving up on winning Papagena’s
love, but was rescued by the three spirits who advise him to use magic bells to
attract her.
After all the
love battles, Monostatos plans with the Queen of the Night and her ladies to
destroy the temple but their plan does not see the light of the day and they
are magically cast into eternal night.
Knowing that
their love is strong, Sarastro welcomes Tamino and Tamina to the Temple of
Light followed by a chorus that praises the couple.
The Magic Flute
was originally done by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and premiered in 1791. Mozart
transformed operatic comedies and characters into living, breathing dramas peopled
with real human beings. This prolific and influential composer of the Classical
era died on December 5, 1791 at the age of 35 years. The Magic Flute has
remained an interesting opera, that is why it is one of the operas frequently
performed in many parts of the world.
The story
unfolds interaction between different kinds of people, their belief system
including religion, romance and mankind’s fallibility nature.
The African
costume won by the cast added an aesthetic touch to the concert. Since I don’t
understand German, it would be difficult for me to point out any grammatical
error made by the actors. Their voices were sonorous and they moved to and from
the stage with confidence.
The only minor
mistake I observed is that, Tamino’s magical flute supposed to be gold in
colour but the flute he was holding was green in colour.
The narrator,
Prince Jacob Akindele, delivered his job excellently. The narration was done in
English Language; it helped the audience to understand each scene since most of
them did not understand German. The German Diction Coach, Christine Kanitz deserves
applause for a job well done.
The MUSON choir,
directed by Mr. Emeka Nwokedi performed wonderfully well. Interestingly, the
MUSON symphony orchestra added a touch of class to the concert.
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