By Kristin McKinnon, Publicist & Publications Co-ordinator 

This season marks the 65th anniversary of the COC's very first presentation of The Magic Flute. Since 1952, the COC has presented at least seven 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.

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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.

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1977

 

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. Both photos are by Robert C. Ragsdale.

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1982

 

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. Both photos are by Robert C. Ragsdale.

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1989

 

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

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1993

 

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. This photo is by Michael Cooper.

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2005

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 (now one of the three "Tenors"). 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. This photo is by Michael Cooper.

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2011

 

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, revived this season. It was the first Flute to grace the stage at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. This photo is by Michael Cooper.

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The Magic Flute is on stage at the Four Seasons Centre until February 24, 2017. Click here for more information and tickets.

Banner photo: Owen McCausland as Tamino and Kirsten MacKinnon as Pamina in The Magic Flute (COC, 2017), photo by Michael Cooper.