Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera Die Zauberfloete (The Magic Flute) premiered in 1791, shortly before Mozart's death. The opera is filled with ritual, fantasy, symbolism, drama and melody. But is opera still relevant today? Is there still an audience to support this art form?

Mark Beudert, Artistic Director of the Eugene Opera, will tell the City Club how The Magic Flute and the rest of opera's core repertoire is relevant today. Assisting him will be artists from Eugene Opera's new production of The Magic Flute who will perform selections from the production: Eun Hee Kim, who plays Pamina; Bronwen Forbay as the Queen of the Night; Steven Gallop as Sarastro; Andrew Wilkowske as Papageno; and we'll meet Conductor Nicholas Carthy.

In keeping with Eugene Opera's mission to foster local artists, Beudert will introduce local members of the opera company and talk about Nadya Carson's and Mary Mikkelson's set and costume designs.

Mark Beudert appeared in 2001 with the Oregon Bach Festival in Verdi's Requiem under the direction of Helmut Rilling. In addition to performing and serving as Artistic Director of the Eugene Opera, he is a Professor of Opera at the University of Notre Dame.