Flute Flashback: 70 Years of Magic at the COC

3/18/2022
Flute Flashback: 70 Years of Magic at the COC
By COC Staff

Performer: Ambur Braid, Photo: Gary Beechey

This season marks the 70th anniversary of the COC's very first presentation of The Magic Flute. Since 1952, the COC has presented at least eight productions of Mozart's final and most popular opera, including an exclusive Ensemble Studio production and a school tour adaptation for young people. Join us for a trip down memory lane as we revisit some of the COC's most memorable Magic Flute moments.

1952

The COC's first ever production of The Magic Flute took place in February 1952 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre as part of the company's third season, back when it was known as the Opera Festival Association of Toronto. Directed by the COC's co-founder and, later, artist director Herman Geiger-Torel, the opera was sung in English and starred Mary Morrison as Pamina, Robert Price as Tamino, and Lois Marshall as the Queen of the Night. Don Garrard, one of the high priests, would also go on to enjoy an international career.

1977

Photos: Robert C. Ragsdale

Left: the Three Ladies played by (l-r) Jean MacPhail, Carol Anne Curry and Claudette Leblanc, were an imposing presence in the COC's 1977 production directed by Bliss Herbert. Right: Peter Barcza's Papageno in 1977 was especially bird-like, while Patricia Wells' Pamina radiated 1970s glamour.

1982

Photos: Robert C. Ragsdale

Celebrated illustrator Maurice Sendak, best known for the classic children's story Where the Wild Things Are, co-created the whimsical set and costume designs for the COC's 1982 production. This production also marked Ben Heppner's COC debut, then a member of the Ensemble Studio, as the First Armed Man. Left: Claudia Cummings as the Queen of the Night and Costanza Cuccaro as Pamina. Right: Theodore Baerg as Papageno with Shawna Farrell as Papagena and the Three Spirits.

1989

Photo: Michael Cooper

This COC production was directed by Lotfi Mansouri, the company's then-general director, with majestic sets and costumes designed by Thierry Bosquet.

1993

Photo: Michael Cooper

This 1993 incarnation, directed by Martha Clarke, proved to be one of the COC's more polarizing productions, but brought together two long-time COC favourites, then at the beginning of their careers: tenor Michael Schade and baritone Russell Braun (far left), playing Tamino and Papageno. Also pictured are (l-r) Tanya Parrish, Norine Burgess and Monica Whicher as the Three Ladies, and Valerie Gonzalez (background) as Papagena.

2005

Photo: Michael Cooper

The 2005 Ensemble Studio production, which commemorated the 25th anniversary of the prestigious training program, got a little wild with a lion-taming Tamino, played by tenor Victor Micallef. At the time, this was the program's largest production to-date. It was directed by Andrew Porter, and performed in the MacMillan Theatre at the University of Toronto.

2011

Photo: Michael Cooper

After the 1993 production,The Magic Flute was not seen on the mainstage again until 2011, with Michael Schade returning to reprise the role of Tamino in the company's new production by Diane Paulus. It was the first Flute to grace the stage at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

2017

Photo: Michael Cooper

The Diane Paulus production was revived with Ensemble Studio graduate Ashlie Corcoran in the director’s seat (she acted as assistant director in the 2011 premiere and is deeply familiar with the show). Starring soprano Ambur Braid as the Queen of the Night, the Toronto Star described the production as “magical.” Above, Owen McCausland as Tamino and Kirsten MacKinnon as Pamina.

2022

Opening May 6, this season’s presentation of The Magic Flute is notable for featuring a large number of artists who are currently enrolled in or are graduates of the Ensemble Studio, the COC’s professional development program for emerging artists.

Soprano and current Ensemble Studio artist Midori Marsh will play the role of Papagena in this production, and is looking forward to sharing the stage with so many talented performers: “There are so many Canadian performers and artists who I admire and look up to. The fact that I get to work with some of them is so amazing; all of us in the Ensemble are super hyped to rehearse and perform together, go to the theatre together, share dressing rooms–it’s all so much fun!”

Soprano Anna-Sophie Neher graduated from the Ensemble in the 20/21 season, and while her career continues its ascent, with recent appearances at renowned houses like Opéra national de Paris, there is still something special about coming back to the COC: “I think about all the previous singers that sang in those 70 years of The Magic Flute at the COC and I cannot believe how lucky and honoured I am to add my name to the list.”

The Magic Flute runs May 6, 8, 11, 14, 17, 19, and 21, 2022. Tickets are on sale now.

Posted in A Season Like No Other