Latchis Arts presents MET LIVE in HD’s “Die Zauberflöte” at the Latchis Theatre, Saturday, October 14, at 1 p.m., with a pre-Opera talk by scholar Lisa Cox at 12 noon.

Lisa Cox has a Ph.D. in Classical Studies and teaches languages and history at Greenfield Community College, where she asks her students to interpret Enlightenment thinking or Latin grammar. She’s been thinking about Mozart opera for over 40 years, ever since her music theory professor at Middlebury asked his students to interpret Don Giovanni’s “Là ci darem la mano.”

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte” has engaged audiences with this universal fairy tale since its premiere in Vienna in 1791.  Earthly comedy and noble mysticism presented in a singspiel (“song-play”) format delighted from all walks of life.  Composer Mozart and librettist Schikaneder were both freemasons – the fraternal organization whose membership is held together by shared moral and metaphysical ideas – and Masonic imagery is used throughout the work. On its face, the story of Die Zauberflöte is a classic tale of adventure replete with heroic deeds, supernatural enchantments, and the triumph of good over evil.

Conductor James Levine and Production/Costume Designer Julie Taymor help create a wonderful presentation of a fairy tale that continues to delight audiences around the globe. The exquisite duet between Papageno and Papagena, as well as the puppets and visual splendor will bring smiles to everyone, young and old.  Cast includes Baritone Markus Werba as Papageno, Soprano Kathryn Lewek as the Queen of the Night, and Bass René Pape as Sarastro.

Tickets are $22 for the Opera, $10 for the Pre-Opera Talk; $20 for MET CLUB FOREVER members and $8 for the Talk, Students are $10 for the Opera and $5 for the talk. Please contact Sharry Manning [email protected], 802-257-5717 for questions or advance credit-card purchase. The Opera runs 3 hrs. 29 mins with an intermission that includes backstage interviews.