The Astoria Music Festival brings Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” to the Oregon Coast in more ways than one with a batch of talented vocal and instrumental apprentice artists from across the country.

The festival’s Vocal Apprentice Program’s production, which opens at 7:30 p.m., sets the action of the comedic opera “The Magic Flute,” or “Die Zauberflöte,” in Astoria. A second performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, and both performances take place at Clatsop Community College’s Center of Performing Arts, 588 16th St.

The Vocal Apprentice Program began June 12 and goes until Friday after the closing performance. The program is a traditional part of the festival, which is in its 13th season. Each June, the festival produces a 17-day season of operatic, symphonic and chamber music concerts and classical programs. The apprentice program provides training to amateur singers and instrumentalists. It also incorporates local young dancers.

Brian Staufenbiel, the creative director and stage director for Opera Parallèle in San Francisco, is the stage director of “The Magic Flute.” Music Director Olivia Tsui is a conductor and violinist who was the first female music director in the 84-year history of the Glendale, Calif., Symphony Orchestra.

Costume apprentices

A new addition to this year’s program is a costume apprenticeship, which is under the direction of Astoria Middle School teacher Cynthia Harber.

When Managing Director Carol Shepherd heard about Seaside High School’s Sewing Club, she saw an opportunity to develop young people through the apprentice program. Three students from the sewing club — Brooke Laws, Max McNeill and Chastity Cozzitorto — participated in the costume apprenticeship, and the program benefited from their participation, Harber said.

There was a $500 budget for costumes, which gave the team the ability to create more elaborate attire. They had to craft outfits and other costume pieces for the nearly 20-member cast, as well as about 18 dancers from Maddox Dance Studio and the Astoria School of Ballet.

Because “The Magic Flute” is set in Astoria — with references to the U.S. Coast Guard, a pirate and Columbia River Bar Pilots — the costumes follow a nautical theme. Characters include spirits, a queen of the night, priests and a bird-catcher.

“Thank God, we had a budget this time,” Harber said.

She devoted about 14 hours a day to the production, and the sewing club students each devoted about four to six hours per day. Besides the students, Harber also received help from Astoria’s Englund Marine & Industrial Supplies, who willingly let the group borrow costume parts.

Harber spoke highly of the production, adding, “It’s always really fun to get this group here” and “for such a small area to house so many awesome performers.”

Ryan Bradford, a performer from San Francisco who plays the character Papageno, agreed, adding it’s exciting to have some of the best musicians from across the United States “congregating in Astoria” for the festival.

As for the costume apprenticeship program, Harber said, “besides being a huge asset to this production, I think it really helps the kids.”

She taught her apprentices techniques, skills and costume shortcuts they can take with them and teach to others in the sewing club. Additionally, Harber said, “It’s going to help them the next time they have to do this for a performance at their school.”

Shepherd agreed it went well.

“The students have had a great time, and it’s been a very good experience for them and a great way for us to involve more students in the festival,” she said.

Her goal is to build the apprentice program to include apprentices in all areas, such as direction, stage management, costuming, props, lighting sound, video and more.

The performances of “The Magic Flute” will be sung in German with English dialogue and supertitles. The cost to attend is $15 or $12.75 for students and military members with identification. For more information, call 503-325-9896 or visit astoriamusicfestival.org.