Photo Credit: © 2010 Myung Hee Cho - Courtesy of Canadian Opera Company
Director Diane Paulus, who has worked on such varied stage works as David Lynch's Lost Highway, The Donkey Show, Il Ritorno D'Ulisse in Patria, and the Broadway revival of Hair, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award describes the COC production of the Magic Flute:
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.
Everyone is all abuzz about our Canadian trifecta of opera goodness that will be performing. Isabel Bayrakdarian and Met Council Audition winner Simone Osborne will be sharing the role of Pamina, and Michael Schade plays Tamino.
People are saying the production is visually fantastical, and the overall reception has been really good. I haven't seen it yet, but I'll be there to see Simone in a couple of weeks.
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.
Check out the gallery below of costume sketches and production photos. It all looks very visually appealing.
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