The Essence of Opera: The Magic Flute

A stylised performance of the opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Performers:

Queen of the Night – Gintarė Ramana
Tamino – Alejo Ruiz (Argentina, Germany)
Pamina – Virginija Bartušytė
Sarastro – Alfredas Miniotas
Papageno – Domas Saulevičius
Papagena – Smiltė Murencevaitė
Narrator – Domas Saulevičius
Pianist – Raminta Lampsatytė

On 27 and 29 June, the Sapieha Palace invites you to the third edition of The Essence of Opera. This time, we will delve into The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) – a fairy tale-like, yet philosophically rich work, whose music and symbolism has captivated audiences for over two centuries. At first glance, The Magic Flute is a tale reminiscent of a child’s fantasy, but its symbolism, its Masonic motifs and philosophical content reveals a profound journey of spiritual growth and exploration of human nature. An audience favourite, the Queen of the Night’s aria is the pinnacle of coloratura soprano mastery. The part demands not only exceptional vocal skill, but also the ability to convey the intricate psychology of a mother, ruler, and manipulator. At The Essence of Opera concerts, audiences experience opera up close – both physically and emotionally. Selected excerpts present the opera’s core themes, while a narrator appearing between scenes serves as a bridge between the music and the audience: explaining the plot, analysing the characters, and prompting reflection on the opera’s relevance today. The concept was created by Ričardas Rickevičius in the Opera Light studio. It is partly based on the opera concisa (opera in a nutshell) tradition popular in Germany. The format offers a deeper sense of the core, the essence of the work, which is why it is not just a concert but an emotional and aesthetic experience that broadens horizons.

Tickets to the performance on 27 June here.
Tickets to the performance on 29 June here.