Sunday, 12 May 2013

MUSON opera thrills audience with The Magic Flute





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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