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The Canadian Opera Company's new production of The Magic Flute opened Saturday, Jan. 29 and will run for twelve performances through Feb. 25th. The Ensemble Studio will give a special performance on Feb. 17.

Director Diane Paulus describes the production in her Director's Notes: 

"We have set the action in 1791, the year in which the opera was first performed, against the backdrop of the Enlightenment. The entire play-within-the-play is presented in the open space of a nobleman’s garden, itself a place of enchantment and symbolic power during this historical period. As the drama unfolds, the actors leave the theatre behind and continue to enact their story in an elaborate labyrinth that covers the grounds of the estate. The theatricality of their journey is enhanced by the mysteries of the outdoor world beneath the cover of night where they act out the rituals of the drama. All distinctions between fantasy and reality fade away as their pageant lasts through the night until dawn."

Critical Acclaim:

“Magical…Gorgeously Whimsical” – The Globe and Mail

“A pleasant romp through a Once Upon a Time tale set to some of the most beautiful opera music ever written.” – Toronto Star

Read patron reactions here.

About the cast and creative team: 

• Director Diane Paulus was nominated for a Tony Award for the Broadway revival of Hair.
• Isabel Bayrakdarian and Simone Osborne, who share the role of Pamina, both have a history with the COC's Ensemble Studio. Isabel Bayrakdarian was an Ensemble Studio member in 1997/1998, and Simone Osborne joined the Ensemble in 2009.
• Michael Schade, one of the world's leading Mozart tenors, has performed the role of Tamino over 200 times.

Interviews and profiles: 

• National Post interview with Diane Paulus and Myung Hee Cho, the set and costume designer
• Toronto Star interview with Diane Paulus
• Canadian Press interview with Diane Paulus and Myung Hee Cho
• ZNews goes behind-the-scenes (video)
• CBC interview with Diane Paulus and Myung Hee Cho
• Opera 101 interview with Isabel Bayrakdarian and Johannes Debus (audio download)
• CBC News video interview with Simone Osborne
• CBC Radio interview with Simone Osborne 

Photos:

Below are our production photos for The Magic Flute. Click on the "download" link for the larger images. When using these photos on your blog, make sure to use the full photo credit.

Links:

• Synopsis
• Listening Guide
• Director's Notes
• Cast and Creative Team
• Special Ensemble Studio Performance

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