Egidijus Dauskurdis

Mozart’s last opera, The Magic Flute, which has generated a great deal of speculation regarding its Masonic symbolism and meaning, is often interpreted as an allegorical fairy-tale. The prince finds himself lost in an unknown country and discovers the abducted princess in captivity. Together and separately, they go through many trials that end in their triumph as virtuous sovereigns of the new world. But still the real mastermind behind the plot is Sarastro performed in the VCO production by Egidijus Dauskurdis. His voice is well accustomed to the role of a wise ruler, which is quite multifaceted and ambiguous, to say the least. Each character in this opera has a different image of Sarastro, or more accurately, sees in his solemn dignity what he or she fears most. There is nothing to fear about Egidijus, though. His ability to cheer up his colleagues endows each of his characters with light and humility. This happens literally every time he puts on Sarastro’s costume that weighs 30 kilograms and dazzles everyone around with glittering gold.