By Shannon McMahon

Enchanted bird-men, charmed musical instruments and a gorgeously lush score: audiences will be treated to this and more at Otterbein College Opera Theatre’s winter quarter production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, running April 16-18.

In the past, the Opera Theatre has featured other exciting operas as its big winter quarter production. Similarly, this year’s production, a hit since its debut in 1791, is bound to attract big audiences.

“The Magic Flute has its own draw,” says Director Karen Eckenroth. “It’s Mozart’s most popular opera, so it’ll be a crowd pleaser.”

The Magic Flute follows Prince Tamino on his quest to rescue Pamina, the daughter of the Queen of the Night, from Sarastro. Amidst clashes between the Queen and Sarastro, Prince Tamino fights through scandal and trials – with the help of his loyal companion Papageno and a magic flute – to discover the truth and protect Pamina.

Students from a variety of majors, including music performance and music education, began auditions for this production in October 2009. The 32 cast members – all students – began rehearsals in January.

Eckenroth says she is particularly excited about the level of vocal talent the students exhibit.

“Their voices are absolutely fantastic. The students are wonderful singers, and they have brought a huge talent to this production,” she says. “They’re also good actors. All around, it’s going to be a lovely production.”

Additionally, audiences can look forward to the production’s Middle Eastern costuming and setting concept, added to give the show a different flavor. The original opera was written as a fantasy, fairytale opera, Eckenroth says. Complete with royal families, daring trials, and a passionate love story, it can be set almost anywhere.

Members of the student string orchestra, as well as a few faculty members, will also participate in the production. Eckenroth says there will be 14 players in the pit orchestra.

Eckenroth believes the student contributions and talent in The Magic Flute will astonish audiences.

“These roles would be taxing for some professional singers,” Eckenroth says. “[The students] are doing wonderfully.”

The performances, which are all in English, will run at 8 p.m. April 16-17 and at 2 p.m. April 18 in Riley Auditorium of the Battelle Fine Arts Center, 170 W. Park St. General admission tickets are $10, senior citizen and Otterbein employee tickets are $8 and student tickets are $5. Purchase your tickets at the door or by calling 614-823-1508.

Shannon McMahon is a contributing writer for Westerville Magazine.