The highly regarded DePaul Opera Theatre (D.O.T.) will present "The Magic Flute," Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s beloved final opera, on Feb. 5 and Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. and on February 7 at 2 p.m. at DePaul’s Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Drive. The production will be performed in English with translation by Andrew Porter and libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. The opera will be staged by D.O.T. Director Harry Silverstein and conducted by D.O.T. Musical Director Robert Kaminskas.

"The Magic Flute" has remained one of the most popular operas among adults and children alike since Mozart first staged it more than 200 years ago. It is the mystical and comical tale of a young prince, his bird trapper sidekick and their quest to free an imprisoned princess with the help of an enchanted flute. The opera follows their fantastic journey from the realm of the Queen of the Night to the Temples of Wisdom, Reason, and Nature.

"This opera remains popular because it addresses faith, love, and enlightenment with wonderful Mozart tunes and roaring comedy," Silverstein said.

The D.O.T. production will feature sumptuous sets and colorful costumes. Lyric Opera lighting designer Christine Solger-Binder and set designer Scott Marr will create the opera’s mood, reprising their roles from last year’s successful production of "Die Fledermaus." Silverstein directs, Marr is associate designer, and Solger-Binder creates the lighting for this season’s production of "La Traviata" at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, which played from Nov. 28 to Dec. 15 and will reopen for another run Feb. 22 to March 12.

The D.O.T. stages two opera productions each year, one in the fall and one in the winter. Talented singers from DePaul’s voice performance program, which enrolls about 70 students, perform in the productions. Graduates of the program currently grace the stages of The Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera, Berlin Opera, Zurich Opera and regional companies around the United States. Several have won major competitions, including two winners of the Metropolitan Opera’s national competition. The DePaul Symphony performs the music and other music and theater students contribute costume design, staging and lighting.

"The DePaul Opera Theatre presents excellent productions in English within a beautifully intimate venue for a reasonable price," Silverstein noted. "This opera promises to be an exciting evening for either the opera aficionado or novice."

An Evanston resident, Silverstein is an associate professor at DePaul’s School of Music. He has been director of D.O.T. since 1990. In addition to his work with the Lyric Opera, he has directed opera professionally in the United States and abroad for the San Francisco Opera, New York City Opera, English National Opera and companies in Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and the Netherlands. He has staged both contemporary operas and works from the standard repertory, including European and South American premieres of works by Philip Glass and world premieres in Houston and Delaware. He is best known for his work in Mozart operas, but he also has directed professional productions of operas by Verdi, Puccini, Donizetti and others.

Tickets to the Magic Flute are $15 for main floor and mezzanine and $10 for balcony seats. Discounts are available for students and senior citizens. Call (312) 922-1999.