Papagena, who first appears disguised as an old woman, is transformed into the young maiden who captures Papegeno's heart. The Stewart School fifth-grade class presented Mozart's sublime opera Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)in June, marking the opera program's 70th year. Last fall, the fifth-grade class from Stewart and Stratford schools traveled to Manhattan to attend a dress rehearsal of Julie Taymor's magical production of the opera at the Metropolitan Opera House. Stratford school students attended the Stewart production, as well. Among the characters in the opera are the Queen of Night, a prince and princess separated by fate but destined for one another's arms, and a compelling assortment of bears, serpents, and other creatures. As is customary, the production featured a cast with two rosters of principal players.

The finale.Some of the creatures who inhabit the land of mystical landscape of The Magic Flute.Pamina, daughter of the Queen of the Night, and object of Prince Tamino's affection.The young Prince Tamino, who is lost in a foreign land. The Queen of the Night's ladies in waiting.Slaves in service to Sarastro.Monostatos, a Moor in service to Sarastro, who has captured Pamina.Papegeno, the happy go lucky bird catcher, who uses magic bells to find his true love.A priest.Tamino plays the magic flute given to him for protection by the Queen's ladies.Sarastro, the evil high priest.The Queen of the Night, who charges Prince Tamino with Pamina's rescue from the forces of evil.