One of the best things about art is that you can understand it however you want. From paintings to stories, everyone has their own interpretations and can gain inspiration. Within reason, we can paint a different face on a well-known portrait, place iconic characters in any situation we want, or even change a song’s entire genre.
OperOttawa brings its own interpretation of The Magic Flute, Mozart’s final opera, to First Baptist Church on Sunday, Nov. 26, for a fantastical performance with an all-woman cast.
OperOttawa. Photo provided by Norman Brown
For those who are unfamiliar with Mozart’s work, The Magic Flute‘s plot follows Prince Tamino and Papageno on their journey to rescue the Queen of the Night’s daughter, Pamina. This time, the cast—aside from the conductor—consists entirely of women! Our princely protagonist goes by Tamina now, and from what conductor Norman Brown tells me, “The singers who are performing the traditional male roles have embraced the opportunity with much enthusiasm.”
The female roles, such as Pamina, the Queen, the three Ladies, and the three Spirits, will be sung as written, while the changed roles will be sung up an octave. For example: Tamina is a soprano, Sarastra is a mezzo, Pipogena is a mezzo, and Monostatas is a soprano. It will be interesting to hear the resulting sounds and harmonies with all the voices in similar voice types.
“One of the reasons I chose to do an entire season only using female voices is the fact that there are so many amazing female singers in and around Ottawa who are under-utilized,” Brown explains in an email. “In a typical show, I can perhaps hire two sopranos and one mezzo; the rest are men. That, and the fact I like to think outside the box and do things differently.”
Carole Portelance, Sarastra. Photo provided by Norman Brown.
“Singing the role of Sarastro as a female (thus, Sarastra!) has proven to be its own special challenge, unlike any role I have had to sing so far,” says Carole Portelance, who sings the role of Sarastra.
Portelance says she is naturally a mezzo-soprano, singing one octave up from the original.
“Singing this role as a female, with a female voice, does not take away any of the gravitas and authority of the role,” she says. “But, the challenge remains to portray the wisdom and power of this now-female Sarastra in the spirit that Mozart intended—with a higher and relatively lighter voice—without subconsciously trying to imitate what a basso profundo would do…. It has been quite a journey discovering Sarastra.”
Kathleen Radke, Tamina. Photo provided by Norman Brown.
In OperOttawa’s past performances of the opera, Kathleen Radke has sung the role of Pamina, and says being Tamina “will be very interesting.”
“I get to interpret the story from the other side, and I am looking forward to it. I see her as a very ‘lawful good’ character—pure of heart with nothing but good intentions,” Radke says. “Yes, it’s strange to sing a traditionally tenor role, but I’m enjoying it. Look out, tenors—I’m coming for your girl and your roles!”
Erinne-Colleen Laurin, Pamina. Photo provided by Norman Brown.
Erinne-Colleen Laurin plays the role of Pamina in the show. She says she thought it would be “really strange at first to sing all the scenes with another soprano instead of a tenor” but says she is “excited to hear the colours of our voices together and to create something new, while also challenging people’s perspectives.”
“Love is love and it can sprout anywhere!” says Laurin. “Although this interpretation might be different from what Mozart had initially envisioned, today we don’t see or feel through the same lens and I am proud to be part of this contemporary interpretation. Also, I must say, Tamina is really easy on the eyes.”
Brown’s chance to conduct The Magic Flute represents a full 360-degree turn from the beginning of his music career, he says.
“It is not easy to fully prepare to conduct an opera, but thanks to a professional development grant from the Canada Council for the Arts, I spent almost three weeks under the mentorship of Leslie Dala (Vancouver Opera) on their recent Magic Flute production, attending staging and musical rehearsals, observing conductor Tania Miller in action, and private sessions with Maestro Dala.”
OperOttawa’s conductor, Norman Brown. Photo provided.
The team has made it pretty clear how much they are looking forward to this performance—imagine the fun you’d have experiencing it with them! Find yourself another music lover and head on down to First Baptist Church!
OperOttawa’s all-female Magic Flute performance takes place at First Baptist Church (140 Laurier Avenue West) on Sunday, November 26, 2023, from 2:30-5pm. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
