Celebrating its 40th season, Opera Atelier will present Mozart’s The Magic Flute for four performances October 15 – 19 at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre.
The Magic Flute
According to Operabase and Bachtrack, Mozart’s The Magic Flute is the second most performed opera worldwide. Premiered in 1791, this timeless classic was Mozart’s final opera and his most well-known to be composed in German, in the style of Singspiel, which combines spoken dialogue with music.
Opera Atelier
Founded in 1985 by Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, Opera Atelier specializes in staging works from the 17th and 18th centuries using period instruments, costumes, and choreography.
Their productions are celebrated for combining scholarly authenticity with theatrical flair, often incorporating Baroque dance into their stagings.
Ludwig Van spoke to Director Marshall Pynkoski about this upcoming production.
The Production
The Magic Flute has a very important place in Opera Atelier’s history. Its production is North America’s first and only period production of the opera, and is sung in English with Andrew Porter’s translation. Marshall says that when OA performed it for the first time in 1991, “it was a cutting-edge production. It redefined what period music could mean. It received incredible reviews and response, and it traveled across Canada and throughout the US. It became a real takeoff point for us.”
This production features a lot of dancing, which was the norm in 18th century operas, even though other modern day productions have largely cut them out due to the expense of hiring dancers.
“In the 18th century, there were ballets that were full of singing, and operas that were full of dancing. The art forms were not mutually exclusive. And that’s something that we really like to emphasize. The opera of the 18th century is like a Broadway musical.”
The OA production will have dazzling special effects, like a dragon and a flying gondola. “The Queen of the Night has a breathtaking entrance in which the entire sky changes shape, the moon and stars appear, then she flies into the centre of the moon,” says Marshall.
Not only will the world-renowned Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra provide the accompaniment on period instruments, members of the Nathaniel Dett Chorale will be on stage for the first time as the chorus.
The Cast
The lead role of Prince Tamino will be sung by Tenor Colin Ainsworth, who has been in numerous OA productions.
“He is our tenor of choice for this sort of role. He seems ageless, both in his looks and his voice. He is also a great comedian.”
Marshall is especially thrilled to bring Soprano Rainelle Krause to OA for her signature role of The Queen of the Night. Rainelle has sung this award-winning role with many renowned opera houses, and after making her Queen debut at OA, she will be debuting it at Santa Fe and The Metropolitan Opera later this season.
Marshall is equally excited about the three singers who are performing Magic Flute for the first time: Soprano Meghan Lindsay as Pamino, tenor Blaise Rantoanina as Monostatos, and bass-baritone Douglas Williams as the lovable Papageno.
“It’s always thrilling when a singer is singing their role for the first time. They’re creating their role. There is a real edge and electricity about it.”
Final Thoughts
Marshall wants to emphasize that OA’s Magic Flute is accessible to everyone, young and old. He notes that in Mozart’s time, going to the opera was a much more relaxed affair.
“The actors interacted with the audience, and they would play encores if the audience applauded enough.” This is the kind of atmosphere the audience would find in this OA production.
OA’s Magic Flute also reflects the diversity of our city. “We have a fantastic ethnic and racial mix on stage. We didn’t cast those people with that in mind, it just happened to be a wonderful coincidence. And I think that’s what we want to see, that Toronto opera looks like the streets of Toronto,” says Marshall.
“Magic Flute is ‘the nutcracker of the opera world.’ It’s sung in English, has wonderful music and tunes that you’ll remember after you leave. This is an opportunity for people to demystify what opera is. I think this is the opera for people who think they don’t like opera. And it’s the perfect introduction for people who have never been to an opera.”
- Opera Atelier presents Mozart’s The Magic Flute October 15, 16, 18, 19, 2025 at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto. Find tickets and more information [HERE].
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