Mozart's Magic Fantasy: A tribute to the world's greatest music prodigy
A day after his birth in Salzburg, an Austrian genius was baptized as Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as he is popularly known, was born with a keen and brilliant sense of hearing paired with a sharp memory and a highly-imaginative mind with a special proclivity to music. His cunning musical ability was first noticed when he was still a toddler and was further honed by his father, who was a violinist and composer of his time. At age five, he was able to compose a song and by the time he reached 12, he had already written 3 operas, 6 symphonies and a hundred of other works. He was a virtuoso with a contrapuntal creativity destined to become a prolific and a very influential composer of classical music. His brilliant ideas and his utmost passion for his craft were evident in his masterpieces.
But it seems that some things in this world, often the great ones, were meant to be short-lived. Mozart's nearly 35 years of well-lived life came to an end on December 5, 1971 at approximately 1:00 am, days after he began working on the Requiem, a work that was commissioned by a Count from Schloss Stuppach. The cause of his death has been a topic of debate among scholars though many believed that he suffered from a severe miliary fever.
It seems that death itself failed to stop Mozart from making the world his own stage. He became an icon and his music spread throughout the globe. His influence was so massive that it even echoed in the backyard of science. Many researchers believe that listening to his music enhances mental development and performance. A hypothesis known the spatio-temporal reasoning or the Mozart effect.
Last January 27, 2006, the whole world started conducting musical events as a celebration of Mozart's 250th birthday. In relation, the Iloilo Youth Orchestra and Iloilo Children's Choir will be having a series of theatrical show entitled "Mozart's Magic Fantasy: A Journey Through the Magic Flute". The show was taken from The Magic Flute, an opera written by Mozart right after the French Revolution and before his death. Despite some claims that it contains masonic ideas, ideals and symbols, The Magic Flute remains to be the all-time favorite opera for children. It fuses the elements of fantasy and limitless imagination which perfectly blend with the captivating charm of Mozart's tunes.
Mozart's Magic Fantasy was based on a story adaptation by the-Juno-Medal-awardee Susan Hammond. More than 70 talented Filipino actors, singers, dancers and musicians were gathered to participate in this marvelous show. An array of respected Ilonggo names in the business serves as the backbone for this much-awaited event. The production team is headed by Mrs. Nilda Lopez-Exmundo, who will also direct the opera. The dramatic and lively dance moves were choreographed by Annie Divinagracia-Sartorio. The astounding costumes were designed by the Canada-based Filipino designer Noel Crisostomo. On the other hand, the artistic ability of Oliver Exmundo will be noted through the lavish scenic design and visual effects which will be well-complemented by Rhodora Solis' expertise on lightings. Yannie Rose Noble's incredible ideas in prop design will surely make this opera even more interesting. On the other hand, Josefino "Chino" Toledo will be conducting for the orchestra. Much of the show's outcome lies on the aesthetic skills of their artistic consultant, Mr. Edward Defensor.
According to Austrian Ambassador to the Philippines Herbert Jager, Mozart's Magic Fantasy is the only cultural production in the 250th Mozart Anniversary Celebration in the Philippines that has been approved for funding by the government of Vienna. The Austrian Government, through its Embassy in Manila, granted a financial support amounting to one thousand Euros for the production of the said show.
Follow the adventures of Sarah, her Dragon companion, the Prince, Tamino, Papageno and the birdman as they struggle to rescue the courageous and lovable Pamina from the hands of the angry and mean Queen of the Night.
Take your whole family on November 25 at7 pm, on 27, 28, 29 at 2:30 pm and on 30 at 7 pm to the St. Anne's Hall of Assumption Iloilo and witness a rare musical event that will surely open your eyes and ears to the exciting world of classical music and opera.
Tickets reservations are entertained at these numbers: (63) 33-328-0002 and (63) 33-503-1207 or thru email at iloilochildrenschoir@yahoo.com.