Suzanne Dvorken on Radio Catskill "The Magic Flute" at the DVO
Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’ Premieres at the Delaware Valley Opera
August 12, 2026 by Kimberly Izar at WJFF Radio Catskill.
LAKE HUNTINGTON, N.Y. – Mozart’s The Magic Flute is one of the best-known operas ever written, but you don’t have to be an opera expert to enjoy it.
Delaware Valley Opera in Lake Huntington is bringing the fairy-tale classic to audiences this August, with magic, comedy, memorable music and a story about the search for a better world. The production follows the story of Prince Tamino’s quest for truth and takes attendees on a journey of dazzling visuals and fairy-tale magic.
“The Magic Flute, at its base level, is about the difference between good and evil, light and darkness,” said Suzanne Dvorken, President of the Delaware Valley Opera Board of Directors.
The opera includes a host of mystical characters, including dragons and a wacky bird-catcher. While Mozart wrote the opera more than 200 years ago, Dvorken says the production still carries universal themes about good and evil and love that translates to the modern era.
“Everybody wants to be loved. Pamina, who is the daughter of the Queen of the Night, she doesn’t necessarily want to be like her mother. She wants to be different. We can all relate to that, and it’s all woven in the story,” said Dvorken. “As I keep saying, the music is gorgeous, but it is.”
Dvorken says the local production brings together a cast of local and international performers – an incredible feat for a smaller rural company in New York.
The Magic Flute premieres at the Delaware Valley Opera in Lake Huntington on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. and will also run on Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. and Aug. 16 and Aug. 23 at 2 p.m.
You can find tickets on MyRiverTickets.com or on Delaware Valley Opera’s website - tickets.
Mozart's The Magic Flute
The Magic Flute by Mozart
Saturday, August 15 & 22 at 7pm
Sunday August 16 & 23 at 2pm
$35 Tickets BUY NOW on My River Tickets
The Magic Flute is a timeless masterpiece because it blends fairy-tale fantasy, profound human themes, and beautiful, catchy music. It acts as a perfect gateway into classical music because it features a wide range of vocal styles, speaking to both young audiences and adults alike.
The enduring popularity of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's most famous opera relies on a few key elements:
Incredible Variety of Music
Sublime Melodies: It contains some of the most recognizable tunes in the classical world, like the famously high-pitched "Queen of the Night" aria.
Character-Driven Songs:
Every character gets music that perfectly fits their personality, from the heroic prince to the wacky bird-catcher.
A Story for Everyone Fairy-Tale Magic:
The plot features dragons, magical instruments, and mystical trials. This allows stage directors to use dazzling visuals and puppets.
Relatable Comedy: Characters like Papageno the bird-catcher provide down-to-earth humor and everyday joy, balancing out the serious, mystical elements.
Deep Meaning: Beneath the silly jokes, the opera explores the universal themes of love, wisdom, and the search for a better world.
See you at the opera!
2026 - The Mikado by Gilbert & Sullivan
The Mikado by Gilbert & Sullivan
Saturday, July 11 & 18 at 7pm
Sunday July 12 & 19 at 2pm
The Mikado is widely considered a very funny comic opera. Written by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, it relies on witty wordplay, absurd plot twists, and hilarious satire. What Makes It Funny? Clever Wordplay: The show is famous for its "patter songs." Characters sing incredibly fast lists of silly things and complaints. Absurd Rules: The story takes place in a fictional Japanese town where silly things like "flirting" are crimes punishable by death.
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