St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Enchants Audiences with Mozart’s The Magic Flute at Powell Hall
By Eric Dundon
When the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra brought W.A. Mozart’s The Magic Flute to Powell Hall in a recent concert-format presentation, it was clear that this wasn’t a typical opera staging — yet there was magic in the music that connected deeply with listeners. Under the baton of Music Director Stéphane Denève, the orchestra and vocal forces breathed vivid life into Mozart’s score, embracing its blend of whimsy, drama, and profound humanity.
“I’m always in awe of Mozart. There is no one like him,” Denève said, capturing his lifelong admiration for the composer and the work’s unique musical power.
Critics praised the performances for their musical excellence, calling attention to the orchestra’s spirited playing and the compelling work of the soloists and chorus. Alongside the orchestra and St. Louis Symphony Chorus, the concerts featured a stellar cast of soloists, most in their SLSO debuts.
Photos by Jon Gitchoff
The cast included tenor Ben Bliss (as Tamino, called “charming and wryly funny”); soprano Mei Gui Zhang (as Pamina, called “utterly endearing”); baritone Will Liverman (as Papageno, delivering “a winning performance”); coloratura soprano Rainelle Krause (as Queen of the Night, “her signature role”); bass David Leigh (as Sarastro, singing with “both gravitas and sympathy”); tenor Rodell Rosel (as Monostatos, performed “with just the right amount of hilarity”); soprano Elizabeth Sutphen (as Papagena, who “made a strong impression”); Teresa Perrotta, Jennifer Feinstein, and Daryl Friedman (as the Three Ladies, who “blended their voices seamlessly”); bass-baritone William Socolof (as Speaker of the Temple, “appropriately imposing”); and Benji Chu, Jack Pitlyk, and Cooper Whitehorn (as the Three Boys, “properly angelic”).
Audiences responded with enthusiasm. Many concertgoers appreciated the opportunity to hear Mozart’s enchanting score with clarity and emotional richness, enjoying the sense of immediacy that comes from singers and orchestra sharing the same acoustic space. For those in the hall, the performances affirmed that even without elaborate staging, The Magic Flute’s spell — guided by Denève’s passion and respect for the music — could still captivate and inspire.
Eric Dundon is the SLSO’s Public Relations Director.
