The Shreveport Opera began in 1949 with a production of Carmen, and has since been providing the Ark-La-Tex with a steady supply of wonderful operatic performances. It has premiered 3 pieces and hosted such names as Beverly Sills and Placido Domingo…as well as helping launch the careers of Renee Fleming and Greer Grimsly. As an added bonus to it’s regular repertoire, Shreveport Opera created a program called, “Shreveport Opera Xpress (SOX) which employs young resident artists of each voice type to travel to local schools, community centers, libraries, homeless shelters and children’s hospitals to introduce new audiences to the joy of opera. You can then go and see the SOX artists in the main stage productions. The Shreveport Opera Xpress is the only educational opera touring program in the state of Louisiana.

Shreveport Opera’s next installment is their production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute (sung in English) on November 4th @ 7;30pm, with a free talk preceding the show at 6:30pm. The Magic Flute is a comedic and mesmerizing fairy tale that includes love, virtue, magic, and revenge. Prince Tamino (played by second-year SOX artist Kameron Lopreore) is sent on a rescue mission to save Princess Pamina (SOX’s Karina Brazas) from the “evil” Sarastro (Gregory Frank). Pamina is the daughter of the fierce Queen of the Night (Kelly Curtin, former SOX artist)…who sings one of the opera’s most famous and recognizable arias. Along the way, they are joined by bird-catcher Papageno (former SOX artist Leroy Davis), Spirits, woodland animals and more.

Perfect for all ages, ˆThe Magic Flute tells a story of love, virtue, magic, and revenge. In a comedic and spell-binding tale, Prince Tamino is sent on a quest to rescue the daughter of the Queen of the Night. When the Queen turns out to be the real villain, Tamino and Pamina seek the consul of the wise Sarastro and his temple. With the help of a magic flute and a bumbling bird-catcher, Tamino and Pamina triumph over their obstacles and love wins the day!Perfect for all ages, ˆThe Magic Flute tells a story of love, virtue, magic, and revenge. In a comedic and spell-binding tale, Prince Tamino is sent on a quest to rescue the daughter of the Queen of the Night. When the Queen turns out to be the real villain, Tamino and Pamina seek the consul of the wise Sarastro and his temple. With the help of a magic flute and a bumbling bird-catcher, Tamino and Pamina triumph over their obstacles and love wins the day! It’s a classic tale of love triumphing over evil and confusion!