Season Opener, Vancouver, BC – Last Saturday night, on October 21, my daughter and I were thrilled to see the Vancouver Opera’s season opener “Mozart’s Magic Flute at the Queen Elizabeth Playhouse. We also attended the pre-show talk in the mezzanine level of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre an hour before the performance, which introduced us to the Arias and the significance of the flute. Interestingly enough, no one mentioned the silver bells or “magical chimes” that also play a prominant role in the performance.

The Photo of the production (above) is courtesy of @Emily Cooper Photography

Magic Flute Production Images by @Emily Cooper Photography

Most Vancouver Opera performances take place downtown Vancouver at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. For more information about the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Accessibility, Parking and Show Time information, please visit Venue Information. English Surtitles—translated lyrics—are projected above a stage so patrons can understand what is being sung. Wheelchair and companion seating can be arranged through the VO ticket centre by calling 604 683 0222

The performance began at 7 pm, and by the time the performance was over, with a standing ovation, it was almost 11 pm. The set was amazing, the costumes were bright and colourful and the voices demonstrated humour, passion and pathos as the play went on. The three ladies brought a lot of humour and the three “boys” were hilarious as they entered the stage on their old-fashioned tricycles and perched upon hedges high above the stage.

This play is highly recommended, especially if watching opera is not usually your thing. The work is in the form of a Singspiel, a popular form during the time it was written that included both singing and spoken dialogue, almost like a musical.

The opera was premiered in Vienna on 30 September 1791 at the suburban Freihaus-Theatre auf der Wieden. Mozart conducted the orchestra, Schikaneder himself played Papageno, while the role of the Queen of the Night was sung by Mozart’s sister-in-law Josepha Hofer.

On the reception of the opera, Mozart scholar Maynard Solomon wrote: “Although there were no reviews of the first performances, it was immediately evident that Mozart and Schikaneder had achieved a great success, the opera drawing immense crowds and reaching hundreds of performances during the 1790s.”

For information about getting a ticket, refund, and exchange policy, please visit TICKET POLICY. To purchase a ticket or subscribe, call our ticket centre Monday – Friday 604 683 0222.

Message from the Vancouver Opera Society

In 2023–2024, we invite you to step into a world of wonder with us. We’re beyond excited to share three blockbuster productions that burst with colour and energy; classic works that speak to the profound emotions at the very core of our humanity, while transporting our imagination to somewhere far beyond the everyday. Together, the fiery passion of Bizet’s Carmen, the storybook enchantment of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and a vivid pop art reimagining of Donizetti’s Don Pasquale make for a season of grand-scale, dazzlingly immersive experiences we can’t wait to share with you.

Our subscribers are what make this community possible. Not only do you get  access to the best seats at the best prices, plus insider news on special events and community initiatives, you also support our creative work both onstage and in our many outreach initiatives in schools, libraries, and anywhere and everywhere the love of opera can be fostered.

It’s a symbiotic relationship that we treasure, and we look forward to continuing to bring vibrancy to our city and magical evenings to our lives, together.

See you at the theatre!
Tom Wright, General Director
Vancouver Opera

Story of the Magic Flute

“The Magic Flute,” also known as “Die Zauberflöte” in German, is a famous opera composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with a libretto written by Emanuel Schikaneder. It was first performed in Vienna in 1791. The opera is a mixture of fantasy, Masonic symbolism, and light-hearted comedy.

The story of “The Magic Flute” revolves around the adventures of Prince Tamino, a young nobleman, and the bird-catcher Papageno. The opera begins with a dramatic scene in which a serpent pursues Tamino, and he is saved by three ladies, who are servants of the Queen of the Night. They give Tamino a portrait of the Queen’s daughter, Pamina, and he immediately falls in love with her.

Magic Flute Production Images by @Emily Cooper Photography

The Queen of the Night appears and tells Tamino that her daughter, Pamina, has been abducted by Sarastro, the high priest of a temple. She gives Tamino a magic flute and asks him to rescue Pamina from Sarastro’s clutches. To assist Tamino on his quest, the three ladies give him a set of magical tools and introduce him to Papageno, the bird-catcher.

Papageno is given a set of magical chimes and is tasked with helping Tamino rescue Pamina. Together, they embark on their journey to Sarastro’s temple. Along the way, they encounter various trials and challenges, including tests of silence, fire, and water. They also meet the Three Boys, who guide them through their adventures.

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that things are not as they initially seemed. Sarastro is revealed to be a benevolent figure who is actually protecting Pamina from her mother, the vengeful and power-hungry Queen of the Night. Sarastro represents wisdom, reason, and enlightenment, while the Queen of the Night represents chaos and darkness.

Magic Flute Production Images by @Emily Cooper Photography

Tamino and Pamina eventually meet and fall in love. They undergo the trials and prove themselves worthy of each other and of Sarastro’s realm. Papageno, on the other hand, finds his true love, Papagena, and they celebrate their union with joy.

“The Magic Flute” is known for its beautiful arias, enchanting music, and memorable characters. The opera is not only a love story but also a tale of enlightenment and the triumph of good over evil. It explores themes of love, courage, and the search for wisdom and truth. The opera concludes with a joyful and celebratory finale, bringing the characters and the audience to a place of unity and harmony.

Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” remains one of the most popular and enduring operas in the classical music repertoire, captivating audiences with its enchanting melodies and timeless themes.

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