Tomorrow, people around the world can experience a live broadcast of The Magic Flute, presented at The Metropolitan Opera, but shown at local theaters. CLICK HERE to see if there are tickets available near you. If you are familiar with the film Amadeus you will recognize segments from the opera, particularly the character Papageno, and the scene with The Queen of the Night.
Graham and I had been to a production of The Magic Flute when we lived in Boston, before we were parents. The day we purchased our tickets at the theater box office, we snuck into the glamorous hall to poke around. It was a rehearsal afternoon and we were treated, unbeknownst to the peformers, to a wonderful sneak peek. We sat in the dark upper row and watched, listened. Hey, they left the doors unlocked so who could blame us? Reminded me of the days I spent in college as an usher at Northrop Memorial Auditorium, University of Minnesota. As ushers we always would go in early to see the hustle and bustle of setting up the stage, the tuning of the orchestra, the dimming of the lights. So, on the day Graham and I were stow-aways in the opera, we were 'caught' when we began descending the lovely long formal stairway, only to encounter the entire 'chorus' sitting on the lowest steps, being directed in song. Excuse me, pardon me, excuse me.....as I try to slip through with my pregnant tummy. Peter was born several months later.....middle name: Amadeus. {Not because of the event, but because we enjoy Mozart.}
On January 1st, we will be boarding the train to the city, then catching the subway to Columbus Circle, where we will see, as a family, The Magic Flute at the Met! It was a real score to get 5 tickets to see this production, designed by Julie Taymor, famous for her Lion King on Broadway. Of all Mozart's operas, this is the most kid-friendly. I believe, after reviewing the seating chart, that we are in the last of the last rows. Who cares! We're doing it, that's what is important. I think we'll watch Amadeus again this week, to remind the kids who he was and what history is behind the show they are about to experience.
I think it's so cool that the Met is offering a live broadcast viewing of this production, and others, to local movie theaters around the globe. It's a terrific means of bringing us experiences we otherwise would not encounter. Check into it - and go!
