Shorter University will perform The Magic Flute October 14-15

October 4, 2011 - The Shorter University Opera Theatre will present one of Mozart’s most famous operas, The Magic Flute, on Oct. 14-15 at the Rome City Auditorium in Downtown Rome. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m.

The two-act opera revolves around a young prince seeking his true love with the help of a new bird-hunter friend he meets along the way. The Magic Flute, also known by its German name Die Zauberflöte, is a fairy tale rich with music ranging from the stratospheric high notes of the Queen of the Night to the solemn, reverent hymns of the Priests. It will take the audience on a journey for love and knowledge—pitting the basic philosophy of good versus evil in a way that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. The production will be sung in German with English dialogue, and joined by The Chamber Players of the South Orchestra.

 “Mozart's music is timeless, especially The Magic Flute.  It works in every century, and can be in just about any locale,” said Dr. Deborah Popham, assistant professor of music and opera director. “I wanted the performance to be something for everyone to enjoy--young and old, frequent opera goers and first-timers.  We put a science fiction spin on the opera because of the good versus evil concept it has. It seemed to be a good fit, and it was a way to show how opera can be contemporary while utilizing music that is over 200 years old.”

Members of the cast and crew include Emily Alderman, a music education major, Ryan O’Leary, a voice major, and Harris Wheeler, a music major from Marietta; Garrett Baker, a voice major from Perry; Laura Leigh Beall, a music education major from McDonough; Lisa Belk, a music major, Amanda Church, a voice major, and Erin Ottman, a music education major from Kennesaw; Mystie Bennett, a music major from Kathleen; Isabelle Carlton, a 6th grade student from the Montessori School of Rome; Lila Dalton, a music major, and Susie Diesch, a voice major from Jefferson; Sarah Dunham, a voice major from Suwanee; Wesley Henson, a voice major from Braselton; Blake Hicks, a voice major from Cumming; Sarah Justus, a music education major from Cartersville; Anne Marie Kelly and Andrew Smathers, both voice majors from Rome; Jahi Mims, a voice major from Roswell; Tareva Moore, a voice major from Sylvester; Kara Norris, a voice major from Blackshear; Jonathan Parham, a music education major from Cordele; Matthew Queen, a music education major from Calhoun; Chandler Scott, a music education major from Powder Springs; Trey Smagur, a voice major from Clarkesville; Joseph Sokohl, a voice major from Lawrenceville; McKinley Starks, a music major from Bonaire; Judson Whitfield, a music education major from Lindale; Joshua Bartolotti, a voice major from Live Oak, Fla.; Dallas Caulkins, a voice major from Victoria, Texas.; and Anthony Chu, a voice major from Columbia, S.C.      

Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors. To order, call the Shorter University box office at 706-233-7288 or email boxoffice@shorter.edu.

Founded in 1873, Shorter University is a Christian university committed to excellence in education. Since 2003, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Shorter among the South’s best baccalaureate colleges. The University offers traditional bachelor’s degrees in 48 major areas as well as undergraduate degree programs for working adults, the Master of Business Administration, the Master of Arts in Leadership and the Master of Accountancy.  Online courses and degree programs are also available. For more information, visit www.shorter.edu.

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