FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE						April 6, 1995
Lawrence University Opera Theater Presents Mozart's The Magic Flute
	Spirits, forest animals, a gigantic monster, a queen and a catcher of
birds are among the amazing characters that will come to life in Lawrence
University Opera Theater's spring production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's The
Magic Flute April 20, 21 and 22 at 8 p.m. in Stansbury Theater of the Music-
Drama Center.  This musical treat will be sung in English.  Tickets for the
event, at $7.50 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens, are
available from the Lawrence box office, 115 S. Drew St., 12:30-5:30 p.m.,
Monday-Saturday.  Call 832-6749 for further information or to charge tickets to
Visa, Mastercard or American Express.
	The musical director for this production is Bridget-Michaele Reischl,
conductor of the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra, with stage direction and a newly
revised English translation by Patrice Michaels Bedi.  Ms. Michaels Bedi
recently joined the faculty at Lawrence with extensive credits in opera and
concert works, and has chosen to present this timeless classic as her first
annual production at Lawrence for its delightful blend of humor and the search
for Truth. 
	The Magic Flute, a lyrical opera in two acts, was an instant success
when first produced in 1791 and continues to be a favorite.  The story is an
allegory about good and evil, mystical and mundane.  The opera begins as an
amorous adventure for Prince Tamino, who endeavors to rescue Princess Pamina
from the realm of Sarastro, accompanied by the eccentric, bird catching
Papageno (whose search is for more mundane rewards such as food and female
companionship).  They discover that Sarastro's realm is a place of wisdom,
where they are challenged by a series of dangerous tests requiring self-
discipline and courage.  With the protection of spirits, bells and the magic
flute, they realize freedom, goodness, truth, and of course, love.
	The production will showcase both the singing actors of the
Conservatory of Music and the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra, with guest Leslie
Mick as the Queen of the Night.  Good and evil and the search for truth occur
in the contemporary world with evocative designs by Lawrence faculty member
Richmond Frielund.




CONTACT:	John Zimmer, Public Events Manager (414) 832-6589