Published May 9, 2016
MONROE, La. — The delightful favorite 'The Magic Flute' by Mozart will be presented by the Louisiana
Opera on Friday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon, May 22 at 2:00 p.m. in
the Emy-Lou Biedenharn Recital Hall on the campus of the University of Louisiana Monroe.
The music and theatre masterpiece intended for the entire family is a great comedy
with beautiful music and a new script in English. The performers are professional
artists both familiar and new to the Monroe public.
Returning to Monroe is favorite Corey McKern, who sang the title role in the Barber
of Seville last June, and most recently a great success as Billy Bigelow in the Louisiana
Opera’s Carousel excerpts fundraiser last February.
Also singing a leading role in the fundraiser and returning to perform in Flute is soprano Betsy Uschkrat, the former Miss Indiana and New Orleans resident, who will
delight audiences as Princess Pamina in The Magic Flute.
The Prince Tamino is heroic tenor Tyler Smith, who has sung a number of leading roles
in the LA Opera, and recently sang an important part in the New Orleans’s Opera production
of Dead Man Walking.
Also returning in the fun roles of the Three Ladies are favorites Claire Vangelisti,
Kristen Oden, and Lynn Clark. The “villain” of the piece, Monostatos, is tenor Julian
Jones. Vocal competition winner and LSU vocal student Margaret Ann Zentner is singing
the role of Papagena.
New to Monroe is the Queen of the Night, Kelly Holst, singing the stratosphere-high
songs that are so challenging in the opera. Ms. Holst is a new voice professor at
the renowned Oklahoma City University. Joining her, performing the venerable fatherly
role Sarastro will be John Paul White, traveling from Michigan, and also singing in
Monroe for the first time. Mr. White has sung the role multiple times in Germany and
Switzerland during his career.
The pianist is once again Richard Seiler, costumes are designed and coordinated by
Margaret Hall, and the stage director/supratitle composer is Mark Ross Clark.
General admission tickets are only $15 for ULM faculty and staff, and all students are discounted to $5, making this performance great for the entire family. Tickets
are available for purchase during office hours in the VAPA office, 105 Biedenharn.
Call 342-3247 for information.
