Enchanted Evenings | Opera Hunter Brings Mozart's The Magic Flute to Newcastle

One of the most beloved operas ever written is coming to Newcastle, as Opera Hunter presents a full-scale production of Mozart's The Magic Flute, featuring a stellar cast of local and acclaimed performers accompanied by the Lake Mac Philharmonic Orchestra.

Mozart's final opera is a timeless fairy tale of love, courage, and the triumph of light over darkness. The story follows Prince Tamino, who falls instantly in love with a portrait of Pamina, daughter of the powerful Queen of the Night. Told that Pamina has been captured by the high priest Sarastro, Tamino sets off on a quest to rescue her — armed with a magic flute and accompanied by the bumbling but loveable bird-catcher Papageno, who carries his own set of enchanted bells.

But nothing is quite as it seems: as Tamino draws closer to Sarastro's temple, he discovers that it is the Queen of the Night, not Sarastro, who is the true villain. Before Tamino can be united with Pamina, he must endure a series of trials that will test his courage, resolve, and love to their very limits.

It is a story rich with wonder, wit, and deeply human emotion, and Mozart's score is nothing short of extraordinary. Beautiful lyrical arias sit alongside passages of breathtaking complexity and moments of pure comedy, all culminating in one of opera's most thrilling showpieces: the Queen of the Night's spectacular high-flying aria, demanding feats of vocal acrobatics that have astonished audiences for more than two centuries.

Leading the Opera Hunter cast is acclaimed soprano Eloise Rowland as Pamina. A graduate of the Newcastle Conservatorium and a proud product of Hunter operatic tradition, Rowland brings both technical brilliance and heartfelt warmth to the role. She has performed across opera, music theatre, and oratorio, and has sung with the renowned Cantillation ensemble in both concert and film.

Phillip Costovski takes the lead role of Tamino, with Ian Fisher as the irrepressible Papageno and Dana Leon-Oakley as Papagena. The Queen of the Night is sung by the sensational soprano Galatea Kneath, while distinguished bass Michael Saunders brings gravitas to the role of Sarastro. Geoffrey Hicks plays Monostatos, and the Three Ladies are performed by Samantha Cobcroft, Jennifer Wilton, and Anthea Harrington. Further roles are taken by Evan Graham, Ban Starling, and Archer Nicholas Canning.

The production is conducted by Christopher Bearman OAM and directed by Stewart McGowan, with Opera Hunter's chorus performing magnificently throughout.

The Magic Flute plays at Warners Bay Theatre from 24 July to 2 August 2026. Tickets are available at stickytickets.com.au.