The Magic Flute, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, was first performed in 1791.  It’s a complicated  tale of good and evil, with magic bells and a magic flute to keep Tamino and Papageno out of danger, a Queen of the Night who sings amazing high notes, Pamina and Papagena as love interests, and Sarastro with amazing low notes.  Buffalo Opera Unlimited is preparing an abridged version particularly attractive to young people. It will be fully staged, with orchestra, and sung in English with supertitles as well. For an hour before curtain, families are invited to a dress-up station with child-friendly costume pieces and an instrument show-and-tell for a look and listen to instruments featured in the production.

The cast includes James Judd as Tamino, Eric Kesler as Papageno, Karen D’Angelo as Queen of the Night, Emily Yancey as Pamina, Sarah Bleweth as Papagena, and Kofi Hayward as Sarastro. Tim Kennedy, Artistic Director of Buffalo Opera Unlimited, will conduct; set design by David King; costumes by Bernadine DeMike; lighting design by Harry Mandris.