Our production of The Magic Flute has officially begun! Opera singers and fans alike have personal stories of their first Flute experiences, so we thought we would share some of our cast's earliest memories. Stay tuned for the second part of this two-part blog exclusive!

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ANDREW HAJI – TAMINO

"The first time I saw The Magic Flute was back in 2011 here at the COC. I was in my last year of undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto and had, by that time, decided to pursue a master's degree with the University of Toronto’s opera school. Watching this incredible—and incredibly charming—production made me even more excited to be pursuing opera as a career. Now, to be able to perform in that very same production, I couldn't be more thrilled!

"The Magic Flute transports the audience into a fantasy world, where anything is possible. It's sort of like the Harry Potter series, in that it gives your mind the license to imagine and to dream. Many other operas exist in 'the real world' and as such aren't able to really bring the audience to that special place. That's also why it's accessible for people of all ages—imagination has no age limit!

"The music in The Magic Flute is sublime—some of Mozart's best work. It's beautiful to listen to, but also a great pleasure to sing. My very first aria, "Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön," is one of the most beloved in the tenor repertoire. And there are some really fun duets and ensembles sprinkled throughout the piece, which makes the opera a great joy to perform!"

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Elena Tsallagova – Pamina

"I was 12 when I first heard The Magic Flute. I wasn't familiar with opera and had never been to one before. My parents are musicians and I suppose they knew the best way to introduce a child to the complex art form of opera. I saw my first opera on DVD and it was a famous recording from the Met in 1991, with Kathleen Battle singing Pamina and James Levine conducting. I remember I watched it breathless and now I can listen to Flute with no less great anticipation—each time I discover something new.

"The secret of The Magic Flute, as it seems to me, is in the simplicity of perception; there are no complicated melodies or special effects—everything is brilliant and simple, from the music to the storylines. Perhaps it is what makes Flute more accessible to future opera lovers. It is important for the audience to take pleasure from what they see and hear, and for older audience members, it can be a different experience and as the opera’s more complex issues are revealed.

"Some may look at it as a story of great love which overcomes all difficulties and, for some, a beautiful fairy tale with a happy ending and funny adventures of heroes.

"I just love Pamina's character a lot. This is one of my favourite heroines. Pamina is a guardian of love, and is brave and purposeful. She goes through all the trials together with her beloved one and aims to win. Being a woman, it is normal for her to have some failures and doubts but she finds herself encouraged and motivated to fight further and she wins again.

"She is not the one who would be hovering in the clouds, and reacts according to unfolding circumstances. Honestly, I think I could learn from some of the features of Pamina's character in my own life, because I'm very much fond of her as an ideal example of a loving, strong personality."

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Phillip Addis – Papageno

"I believe my first experience of The Magic Flute was the Ingmar Bergman film, probably on PBS. The first live performance I saw would have been by Opera Atelier, here in Toronto. In both cases, the tone of the storytelling acknowledged the humanity behind the theatrics. It's hard to resist genius that doesn't take itself too seriously.

"Personally, I am still struck by the juxtaposition of the grand and the intimate, in both the story and the music. I think Mozart hoped to create something that was at once endearing and universal. So, no matter what expectations a new audience brings with them, they'll be both satisfied and surprised.

"I love how simply Papageno wants to live his life, and how honest he is about his hopes and desires. I think this is the life Mozart himself wished he could have had."

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Matt Boehler – Sarastro

"The first time I heard the opera was during my years as a theatre major in undergrad. I was cast as Sarastro in my college's opera production that year, and, aside from beginning to work on the arias with my voice teacher, I hadn't listened to it before in its entirety. I was immediately drawn in by its whimsical sense of humor.

"The world of The Magic Flute is a place where reality is turned on its head, and where anything is possible. With fantastical characters and music that veers from light comedy to sincere tragedy, it has something for everyone.

"Honestly, singing all of those low notes is just great fun."

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The Magic Flute is on stage at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts until February 24, 2017. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Photo credits (top - bottom): A scene from The Magic Flute (COC, 2017), photo by Chris Hutcheson; Andrew Haji in The Magic Flute (COC, 2017), photo by Michael Cooper; Elena Tsallagova in The Magic Flute (COC, 2017), photo by Michael Cooper; Phillip Addis in The Magic Flute (COC, 2017), photo by Michael Cooper; Matt Boehler and Kirsten MacKinnon in The Magic Flute (COC, 2017), photo by Michael Cooper.