Royal Winnipeg Ballet
The Magic Flute

Dates: 26, 27 & 28 February 2004 at 8.00pm
Venue
: Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Reviewer: Ross Micheal Pink

 

 

 

 

Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart


The Company in The Magic Flute
Photo by Bruce Monk

The marriage of ballet and the symphonic sounds of Mozarts' Magic Flute was an artistic triumph for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet who performed The Magic Flute at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver.

Under the direction of the highly talented Andre Lewis, RWB provides consistent quality and beauty in its interpretation of both classical and modern works.

The Magic Flute is a work of refreshing light and beauty. The dancing is fluid, energetic and evokes a sense of joy.

The Magic Flute was choreographed by Mark Godden who hails from Dallas, Texas. His theatrical training at Carnegie Mellon shows in his expressive use of dance and ability to combine opera with ballet.

Goddens' creations have won international accclaim.

The Magic Flute is an archetypal tale of good versus evil and the endurance of love.

Tamino is the male protagonist who is asked to rescue the kidnapped daughter of the Queen of the Night. At first glance, he falls in love with the picture of Pamina, the one he is to rescue.

 

 

 

 


Pamina is the daughter of the estranged Sarastro and the Queen of the Night.

Dancer Johnny Wright, lean and expressive, portrayed the hero, Tamino, with excellent form.

The role of Pamino was performed by CindyMarie Small who is elegant and evoked well the vulnerability of the character.

Serastro, who kidnaps his daughter Pamina to teach her about the spiritual world, was portrayed brilliantly by Alexander Gamayunov. Dressed in a flowing orange gown, in the role of a high priest and spiritual master, he evoked the drama and imagery of the character perfectly.

Gamayunov is a dancer of tremendous strength, emotion and presence and one of the true stars in the RWB ensemble.

The final scene, where the dancers performed in snow, was glittering and magical.

Set and Costume designer, Paul Daigle, with a long and impressive creative resume, deserves special praise for the snow scene that was truly enchanting and a perfect visual cap to the emotion of the final scene of celebration.

To a sell-out audience, RWB has demonstrated with emotion and beauty, why it is a top level dance company and ever welcome in Vancouver.

© 2004, Ross Micheal Pink

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