by Michele Markarian
“The Magic Flute” – Adapted and directed by Mark Dornford-May. Performed by Isango Ensemble. Presented by ArtsEmerson, Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre, 219 Tremont Street, Boston through November 10.
The 21 or so performers of Isango Ensemble, a troupe made up of black South Africans, are unassuming and relaxed as they warm up onstage before the show begins. They could be neighbors you pass on the street, or strangers you see on the T, or colleagues in your workplace until their conductor, taut and precise, steps onstage and raises his arms. Isango Ensemble are immediately transformed into performers, filling the space with energy, musicianship and joy. This transformation, not something that audience members usually get to bear witness to, lasts throughout the next two hours during this magical retelling of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute”. Truly an ensemble, the performers are so in tune with one another and the score that they are able to play without the benefit of sheet music. Their instruments consist of marimbas, drums, feet, hands, and in one cleverly executed instance, a trumpet.
“The Magic Flute” is a tale of love and adventure, following the star-crossed love affair between a young man, Tamino, and a princess, Pamina, whose picture Tamino has fallen in love with. Pamina has been kidnapped by an evil man, Sarastro. Tamino promises the Queen of the Night that he will rescue the girl, and to help him do so, he is given the gift of a Magic Flute. Sarastro arranges for a series of trials that Tamino must go through in order to prove his love and win Pamina. Aided by spirits and the companionship of his friend, Papageno, Tamino eventually gets the girl.
The vocal talent and musicality of Isango Ensemble is astounding. While African traditions infuse and mutate the opera in the best possible way – the piece is performed in English, Khosa and Zulu – the classical training of the singers is undeniably strong, with gorgeous results. There is a spiritual fusing of traditions here that adds a whole new dimension to what we consider opera. That said, Isango Ensemble has infused “The Magic Flute” with anachronisms that charm. “What a simply gorgeous guy!” exclaims one of the three spirits, upon finding a supine Tamino. “First I was afraid, I was petrified”, says the very funny Papageno, the Gloria Gaynor reference not escaping the chuckling audience. Later, he moans, upon being separated from Tamino, “He is leaving me in the shit”.
“This is so creative! I can’t imagine how anyone could be so creative!” I heard the woman behind me exclaim at intermission. Indeed, by the way the audience leapt to its feet by the end of the performance, they must have liked it as much as I did. This is the third time that Isango Ensemble has appeared at ArtsEmerson, fingers crossed there will be a fourth. For tickets and information, go to: https://artsemerson.org
