Pittsburgh Opera returns to Benedum Center with Mozart's 'Magic Flute'

The Pittsburgh Opera is returning to the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh for the first time since the covid-19 pandemic began. And doing so in a big way — withMozart’s most celebrated opera, “The Magic Flute.”

Considered to be among the world’s greatest operas, it will open with the first of four performances on Saturday, Nov. 6. The other performances are Tuesday, Nov. 9; Friday, Nov. 12; and Sunday, Nov. 14.

The story follows young Prince Tamino who embarks on a hero’s quest to rescue a beautiful princess from the clutches of the evil Sarastro. The prince is aided in his quest by a magic flute.

The work premiered on Sept. 30, 1791, just three months before the composer’s death at the age of 35.

“The music is fantastic. It’s a fun story … a very family friendly show for people of all ages,” said Chris Cox, director of marketing and communications for the Pittsburgh Opera.

Cox said the “The Magic Flute” would be performed in English in keeping with Mozart’s approach to the piece.

“When Mozart first did it, he did it in German because his audience was German speaking and he wanted it to be accessible to the masses,” Cox said. “He didn’t want it to be this Italian high opera that only the nobility would understand. He intentionally had it be in German so that everyday people could follow along and understand it.

“So in keeping with that spirit, it’s pretty traditional in the United States to perform it in English.”

According to Cox, “The Magic Flute” is considered a “Singspiel” or musical drama similar to modern musical theater. It has spoken dialogue as well as arias and ensembles, and usually has a comic or romantic plot with exaggerated characterizations of good and evil.

David Portillo is set to play Tamino with Adelaide Boedecker as the princess and Tom McNichols as Sarastro.

A year ago, the Pittsburgh Opera was one of the few arts organizations in the country doing live indoor shows in its own space on Liberty Avenue. It’s been nearly two years since it performed at the Benedum.