Rowan Opera Co. presents The Magic Flute

One of the world’s most beloved operas, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Magic Flute, is presented by the Rowan Opera Company in a production staged by acclaimed Metropolitan Opera performer Jon Garrison. Performances are April 18 and 19, 2008 at 8 pm and April 20 at 3 pm in Rowan University’s Pfleeger Concert Hall.

Garrison is joined by musical director Marian Stieber in presenting this fully-staged production, accompanied by the Rowan University Orchestra under the direction of Salvatore Scarpa.

Mozart’s beloved final masterpiece is a fanciful yet profound look at the search for love and the struggle to attain wisdom and virtue. A prince, Tamino, discovers love with the troubled Pamina - who is caught in the struggle between her mother, The Queen of the Night, and her protector, the High Priest Sarastro. The young couple faces a range of challenges as they strive to find happiness together.  From virtuosic arias to folksong-like melodies, the full range of Mozart's talent is on display in this magical fairy tale.

Garrison has had a renowned international career for more than 35 years, singing with the most prestigious conductors, opera companies and symphony orchestras in North America, Europe, Asia and South America. He has been hailed by The New York Times as “one of our most elegant and intelligent singers.” Garrison’s operatic debut was as Rinuccio in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi with The Metropolitan Opera in New York. Since then, he has sung 21 roles at The Met, including Ferrando, Tamino, Don Ottavio, Belmonte, Romeo, Ernesto and Nemorino. He has recorded for Sony, Columbia, Teldec and EMI. Throughout his career, Garrison has conducted master classes across the country in addition to numerous educational programs. He is a member of the vocal music faculty at Rowan.

A highly regarded performer throughout the region, Stieber is head of the Vocal Division in Rowan’s Department of Music. As director of the Rowan Opera Company, she has staged numerous productions including The Magic Flute, The Pirates of Penzance, The Marriage of Figaro, Die Fledermaus and Dido and Aeneas. She has distinguished herself in opera, on the concert stage and in recital with numerous roles in La Boheme, Faust and The Barber of Seville.

Pfleeger Concert Hall is located in Wilson Hall on the campus of Rowan University, Route 322 in Glassboro. Tickets are $10, general admission; and $5 for seniors, students, staff and alumni. Tickets can be purchased in advance or on the night of the performance. For information, contact the box office at 856-256-4545 or visit www.rowan.edu/fpa.