Since its premiere at the Theater auf der Wieden in Vienna in 1791, two months before Mozart's death, The Magic Flute has remained a repertory staple for opera companies around the world. Representing the principles of love and truth, this Singspiel in two acts has never diminished in popularity throughout its continuous productions. Examining a different thematic angle for the opera, Mr. Norris dubbed the Mannes production as "The Magic Flute for the Millennium." Through his interpretation, the opera represents an "archetypal myth of passage," where Pamina and Tamino travel from a world dictated by old-fashioned ideals, represented by the Queen of the Night, to a realm embracing modern spiritual views, exemplified by Sarastro.

"Thrilled with every aspect of the production," Mr. Norris recalled "being blown away by the level of students at Mannes. This production is making a major statement about The Mannes Opera Department. It shows the high degree of talent in the voice students and the level of productions that we are capable of accomplishing. The Magic Flute proves that we are a serious opera department." Having seen over one hundred performances of The Magic Flute, Mr. Norris ranks this Mannes cast with the best productions presented throughout the United States and abroad. The Mannes cast included Jang Won Lee as Tamino, Catherine Croall as Pamina, Lielle Berman as Konigin der Nacht, Julien Uhlig as Papageno, Young Bok Kim as Sarastro, Young Jo Lee as Sprecher, Michael Polscer as Monostatos, and Jody Sheinbaum as Papagena.