November 7, 2005 – Sylvia Bierschenk

Life-like marionettes present opera at SFA

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Salzburg Marionette Theater has been entrancing audiences throughout the world for over 90 years, and on Tuesday, Nov. 29, the troupe will present W.A. Mozart's "The Magic Flute" at 7:30 p.m. in W.M. Turner Auditorium. The event is part of the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts' University Series.

Founded in 1913, the Salzburg Marionette Theater has performed on six continents, with appearances over the past decade in Argentina, Japan, Taiwan, Lebanon, Greece, Italy, France, England and Germany.

The marionettes made their United States debut in 1952 with sold-out runs of "The Magic Flute." The production has remained largely unchanged and is the most performed and most successful production in the history of the Salzburg Marionettes.

Multi-jointed and controlled by strings, the marionettes used in the production can walk, run, sit, jump, carry objects and open doors.

As the Los Angeles Times said, "These little figures illuminate the stage in ways you wouldn't think possible."

Each of the operas in the troupe's repertoire is performed to recordings made by the world's leading orchestras and singers. However, as The New York Times said, the marionettes "effect the transitions from farce to pathos, from whimsy to terror, from grief to joy with a smoothness live performers seek in vain."

And according to the Los Angeles Times, "Unhampered by gravity, the marionettes can offer more stage action than human singing actors do, and so enhance the hair-trigger emotions of the characters."

"We're in for a magical evening," said Sylvia Bierschenk, SFA arts information director. "Young and old alike will be mesmerized by the performance."

The event is sponsored in part by Lehmann Eye Center. The College of Fine Arts will honor the corporate sponsor with a 6:45 p.m. reception in Griffith Gallery prior to the performance. At 7 p.m., attendees will hear a brief informative talk about the marionettes and Mozart's opera.

Tickets are $30 for A seating, $24 for B seating and $15 for C seating, with discounts available for seniors, students and children. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.