Silk Road Magic is a Hot Ticket

By Justin Sondak in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 9, 2006 7:58PM

The culture-hungry masses snapped up a few thousand advanced passes to the Department of Cultural Affairs’ free production of The Magic Flute, Mozart’s playful and popular opera, within weeks. The DCA has presented free summer opera for eight years but this one feels special. Part of the Silk Road Chicago celebration, this production incorporates Balinese theater and Kutiyattam, the Sanskrit Theater of India and that country’s oldest theater tradition, with colorful costumes reflecting both cultures. Stars from The Lyric and New York City Operas will be backed by the New Millennium Orchestra with the youth of the Sherwood Conservatory of Music’s Vocal Arts Ensemble presumably singing the roles of the three spirits.

DCA is making a limited number of passes available to those who show up to the Cultural Center at or soon after 6pm (2:00 on Sunday) and wait in line. That seems like a minor inconvenience to see one of the world’s most beloved operas, sung in English and presented with an international accent.

The Magic Flute will be performed tonight and Thursday at 7pm and Sunday at 3pm at the Chicago Cultural Center’s Preston Bradley Hall, 78 E Washington Street. The waiting list starts one hour before the performance at the Washington Street lobby. Further information at www.chicagoculturalcenter.org

Image via DCA