La Sierra to stage beloved Mozart opera at art museum

The La Sierra University Opera Theater on Thurs., March 11, will present a two-hour performance at the Riverside Art Museum, of portions of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's “The Magic Flute.”

Bass-baritone Michael Gallup of the Los Angeles Opera will bring the role of Sarastro to life, while tenor Timothy Gonzales will perform the role of Tamino. Soprano Clarissa Shan will perform the role of the Queen of the Night. Gonzales and Shan are La Sierra University alumni pursuing graduate studies in music at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Additional roles will feature La Sierra University students. The La Sierra University Art Department, directed by Beatriz Mejia-Krumbein, designed and painted the set and props. The story of “The Magic Flute,” or “Die Zauberflöte,” is light-hearted and whimsical. It has delighted the hearts of all audiences since its first premiere in Vienna in 1791.

Daniel Cummings, pianist and La Sierra University Symphony conductor, will accompany the performers on piano. Earl Richards, La Sierra's director of choral studies, will lead the chorus. Raejin Lee, La Sierra's director of vocal studies, serves as stage and music director.

The La Sierra University Opera Theater first portrayed “The Magic Flute” on Feb. 27 and 28, a three-hour performance that showcased the university's first full-length opera with full sets and props designed by La Sierra University's art department.

Gallup has performed with opera companies around the United States including the Dallas Opera, New Jersey State Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, San Diego Opera and Long Beach Operas among many others.  He has also performed at the Hollywood Bowl under Michael Tilson Thomas, Sir Charles Groves and Leonard Slatkin.

His numerous roles with the Los Angeles Opera include Bottom in “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” Faninal in “Der Rosenkavalier,” the Sacristan in “Tosca,” and Alcindoro/Benoit in “La Bohéme.”

The Riverside Art Museum is located at 3425 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside. The performance begins at 7 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door on the day of performance. Prices are $10 general admission, $5 students.

CAST

Sarastro: Michael Gallup
Tamio: Timothy Gonzales
Lady 1: Elizabeth Chan
Lady 2: Stephanie Jones
Lady 3: Rachel Hechanova
Papageno: Aram Barsamian
The Queen: Clarissa Shan
Pamina: Cecia Garcia
Spirit 1: Czarina Francisco
Spirit 2: Natalie Choi
Spirit 3: Melissa Suarez
Papagena: Melanie Contreras
Priests, slaves and followers: La Sierra University Chamber Singers

Set Designer: La Sierra University Art Department; Roxsanna Pacheco, Christina Park, Brittany Tyson, Aline Ueno, Iris Escudero
Assistant Stage Manager: Iris Escudero

PR Contact: Larry Becker
Executive Director of University Relations
La Sierra University
Riverside, California
951.785.2460 (voice)