The Magic Flute (State Opera South Australia)
Six of our second- and third-year Classical Voice students (Willow Barrett, Callum Logan, Daisy Jury, Hannah Szabo, Rosy O'Connor, and Sean Kelley, along with piano student Maria Tynan, who has been shadowing répétiteur Michael Ierace) are currently performing as part of the Chorus in State Opera South Australia's magnificent production of Mozart's The Magic Flute – a collaboration with Opera Hong Kong and the Beijing Music Festival, conducted by SOSA Artistic Director Dane Lam and directed by Shuang Zou.
The opera also features Head of Classical Voice Teddy Tahu Rhodes as Sarastro, and PhD candidate Fiona McArdle as the Third Lady. Four members of the Adelaide Chamber Singers (Emma Woehle, Brooke Window, Kit Tonkin and Victoria Coxhill; all Elder Conservatorium alumni) are also singing as part of the Chorus, with Brooke Window also covering the role of First Spirit (doubling for Ethan Zhang, one of the child performers) in the performances so far. The production has already received no less than seven wonderful reviews (see highlights below!).
There are two performances remaining: please consider coming along if you can!
Thursday 4 September 7.30pm
Saturday 6 September 2.00pm
Her Majesty's Theatre
BOOK TICKETS
'A thunderous Teddy Tahu Rhodes as Sarastro completes an impressive male triumvirate. The physical power of his bass is a thing to constantly marvel, and he has just the right amount of geniality to represent a bad guy who turns good in the end. [...] It is gorgeous Mozart, and one feels the whole team have captured the essence of his one and only folk opera. They have got it just right.'
– Graham Strahle, InReview
'... Teddy Tahu Rhodes [is] a formidable Sarastro. [...] Conductor and SOSA Artistic Director Dane Lam, the Adelaide Symphony Orhcestra and the State Opera Chorus are magnificent, and designer Dan Potra has created a visual feast that blends realism with hallucination. This is a highly imaginative and thoroughly convincing production that keeps the audience spellbound and revitalises Mozart's gem.'
– Chris Reid, Limelight
'The cast assembled for this production is world class. [...] Teddy Tahu Rhodes showed exactly why he is a household name in opera. His Sarastro held court over the entire theatre, with a physical and vocal presence that was impossible to ignore. [...] Rounding out this stunning performance was of course the State Opera Chorus, packed with remarkable performers who help to elevate this production to another level, and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Dane Lam.'
– Kristin Stefanoff, Glam Adelaide
'Teddy Tahu Rhodes is beloved in the opera world and for good reason. His rich, sonorous bass voice rings through the theatre, and his Sarastro is a highlight of the opera as is his costume which sees him tower above the rest of the cast.'
– Barry Hill OAM, Stage Whispers
'Teddy Tahu Rhodes sings the role of Sarastro and imbues him with wisdom and benevolence. Rhodes' bass voice is truly world class, with clarity and musicalness across even the lowest notes. His costume is an eye opener, and the symbolism built into its construction is not missed. He inhabits the costume; he doesn't merely wear it. [...] Sopranos Helena Dix, Catriona Barr and Fiona McArdle play First, Second and Third ladies respectively [...]. McArdle continues to rapidly develop into a fine artist.'
– Kym Clayton, The Barefoot Review
'Overall, this version of The Magic Flute is sumptuous, funny, sexy, poignant and modern. The cross cultural reinterpretation of a loved classic proves that great works can be adapted and improved. This is a marvellous piece of theatre that stays with you, long after the curtain drops.'
– John Goodridge, The AU Review
'In white top hat and sunrise-toned long coat, Teddy Tahu Rhodes employed his cavernous bass with kindly authority.'
– Paul Selar, Australian Arts Review