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The Magic Flute

"An international sensation" (Los Angeles Daily News)

February 22, 23, & 26, 2025
March 1, 2, 7, 8, & 9, 2025
McCaw Hall

Overview

Simply let yourself be astonished.”

– Los Angeles Times


Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder

Myth, magic, and Mozart. Enter the whimsical world of Mozart with this beloved audience favorite in a striking new-to-Seattle production featuring eye-popping hand-drawn animation. In a quest to save the beautiful Pamina, Prince Tamino is joined by the bird catcher Papageno and is given a magic flute with extraordinary powers. The two face a vengeful Queen of the Night and many other trials that test their fidelity, love, and determination. But all ends well when truths are revealed and new love blossoms.

Featuring seamless interaction between onstage performers and animated visuals, this production is a “wonderful show” that is “great for opera lovers, newbies and the whole family” (Los Angeles Times). Inspired by silent movies, Barrie Kosky’s colorful and energetic production comes to Seattle after receiving standing ovations at opera houses around the world.

Also available in a 2024/25 season package.

Dazzling, witty . . . a perceptual joyride.”

– San Francisco Classical Voice

Performance Information

Performance Information

McCaw Hall

In German with English subtitles

Evening performances at 7:30 PM. Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM.

Performance Time: 2 hours and 50 minutes including one intermission

Pre- and Post-Show Talks on every performance date.
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Digital Program

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Movie-style rating: PG

Content advisory: This production contains scenes with flashing strobe-like lighting effects.

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Accessibility Offerings

Audio Described Performance: Sunday, March 2
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Synopsis Translations available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Tagalog, and Somali.
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Praise for The Magic Flute

An entertaining visual tour de force”

– San Francisco Chronicle

A wonderful show, great for the holidays; great for opera lovers, newbies and the whole family”

– Los Angeles Times

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Cast

Duke Kim

Tamino

Tenor
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Tamino, The Magic Flute

Hometown: Seoul, Republic of Korea
Seattle Opera Debut: Alfredo, La traviata ('23)
Previously at Seattle Opera: Count Almaviva, The Barber of Seville ('24); Soloist, 60th Anniversary Concert & Gala ('24)
Engagements: Roméo, Roméo et Juliette (LA Opera, Washington National Opera); Tamino, The Magic Flute (The Metropolitan Opera, Seattle Opera); Alfredo, La traviata (Pittsburgh Opera); Faust, Faust (Irish National Opera, Berkshire Opera Festival); Il Conte D’Almaviva, Il barbiere di Siviglia (Des Moines Metro Opera); Nemorino, L’elisir d’amore (Irish National Opera). 

Last Updated: February 2024

Duke Kim

Tamino

Feb. 22 & 26
Mar. 2 & 8

Victor Robertson

Tamino

Tenor
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Tamino, The Magic Flute

Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Seattle Opera Debut
Engagements: Elijah Mohammad/Street, X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X (Metropolitan Opera, Detroit Opera, Omaha Opera, Boston Modern Opera Projects); Raymond Santana, Central Park Five (Portland Opera); Sportin’ Life, Porgy and Bess (Opera Carolina, North Carolina Opera); Governor, Candide, Delbert/Stewart, The Shining (The Atlanta Opera); Piangi, Phantom of the Opera (Broadway); Ramiro, La Cenerentola (Fort Worth Opera)

Last Updated: January 2025

Victor Robertson

Tamino

Seattle Opera Debut
Feb. 23
Mar. 1, 7, & 9

Brandie Sutton

Pamina

Soprano
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Pamina, The Magic Flute

Hometown: Huntsville, AL
Seattle Opera Debut: Clara, Porgy and Bess (’18)
Previously at Seattle Opera: Musetta, La bohème (’21)
Recently: La Fee, Cendrillon (Metropolitan Opera); Violetta, La traviata (Virginia Opera); Soprano, Carmina Burana (Opera Philadelphia); Treemonisha, Treemonisha (Opera Theatre of St. Louis); Anne, Sir John in Love (Bard Festival); Brahms' German Requiem (Cecilia Chorus at Carnegie Hall)

Last Updated: December 2024

Brandie Sutton

Pamina

Feb. 22 & 26
Mar. 2 & 8

Camille Ortiz

Pamina

Soprano
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Pamina, The Magic Flute

Hometown: Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
2023/24 Seattle Opera Resident Artist 
Seattle Opera Debut: Woglinde/Freia (cover), Das Rheingold ('23)
Previously at Seattle Opera: Morgana (cover), Alcina ('23)
Engagements: Marie, The Daughter of the Regiment (Opera Orlando); Galatea, Acis and Galatea (Eugene Opera); Soprano Soloist, Mozart's Exsultate, Jubilate/Haydn's Scena di Berenice (Oregon Bach Festival); Oriana, Amadigi di Gaula (Boston Baroque); Soprano Soloist, Messiah (Portland Baroque Orchestra); Soprano Soloist, New Year's in Old Vienna (Portland Chamber Orchestra)

Last Updated: December 2024

Camille Ortiz

Pamina

Seattle Opera Debut
Feb. 23
Mar. 1, 7, & 9

Sharleen Joynt

The Queen of the Night

Soprano
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: The Queen of the Night, The Magic Flute 

Hometown: Ottawa, Canada
Seattle Opera Debut: Controller, Flight (’21)
Previously at Seattle Opera: Morgana, Alcina ('23); Amore, Orpheus and Eurydice (’22)
Engagements: Daria, Le convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali (Wexford Festival Opera); Cunegonde, Candide (Ravinia Music Festival, Opéra National de Lyon); Winnie, Sky on Swings (Opera Philadelphia); Zerbinetta, Ariadne auf Naxos (Oper Leipzig); Queen of the Night, The Magic Flute (Pacific Opera Victoria); Gilda, Rigoletto (Opera Colorado)

Last Updated: January 2025

Sharleen Joynt

The Queen of the Night

Feb. 22, 23, & 26
Mar. 1, 2, 7, 8, & 9

In Sung Sim

Sarastro

Bass
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Sarastro, The Magic Flute

Hometown: Yeosu, South Korea
Seattle Opera Debut
Engagements: Il Re, Aida, Fasolt, Das Rheingold, Raimondo, Lucia di Lammermoor (Royal Opera House Covent Garden); Palémon, Thaïs (Teatro alla Scala di Milano); Lodovico, Otello, Pope Leone, Attila (Teatro Real de Madrid); Timur, Turandot (Israeli National Opera Tel Aviv); Sarastro, The Magic Flute (Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier Occitanie, Teatro Regio di Torino and Komische Oper Berlin)

Last Updated: December 2024

In Sung Sim

Sarastro

Seattle Opera Debut
Feb. 22, 23, & 26
Mar. 1, 2, 7, 8, & 9

Rodion Pogossov

Papageno

Baritone
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Papageno, The Magic Flute 

Hometown: Moscow, Russia
Seattle Opera Debut: Raimbaud, Count Ory (’16)
Previously at Seattle Opera: Belcore, The Elixir of Love (’22); Escamillo, Carmen (’19)
Engagements: Dandini, Cinderella (LA Opera); Don Geronio, Il turco in Italia (Glyndebourne Festival); Jaroslav Prus, The Makropulos Case (Malmö Opera); Figaro, Barbiere di Siviglia (Teatro Regio Turin); Fra Melitone, La forza del destino (Royal Opera House); Papageno, Zauberflöte (Glyndebourne Festival)

Last Updated: December 2023

 

Rodion Pogossov

Papageno

Feb. 22, 23, & 26
Mar. 1, 2, 7, 8, & 9

Ariana Wehr

First Lady

Soprano
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25:
 First Lady, The Magic Flute

Hometown: Batesville, IN
Seattle Opera Debut: Eurydice, Orpheus and Eurydice (’22)
Previously at Seattle Opera: Nurse/Girlfriend 1/Congregant 1, Blue ('22)
Engagements: Micaëla, Carmen (Portland Opera); Girlfriend #1/Nurse/Congregant, Blue (Washington National Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Glimmerglass Festival); La Fêtes de Thalie (Opera Lafayette); Requiem (Carnegie Hall); Serenade to Music (Carnegie Hall); Despina, Così fan tutte (Opera in the Heights)

Last Updated: October 2024

Ariana Wehr

First Lady

Feb. 22, 23, & 26
Mar. 1, 2, 7, 8, & 9

Ibidunni Ojikutu

Second Lady

Soprano
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Mabel Lewis, Jubilee; Second Lady, The Magic Flute

Hometown: Bellingham, WA
Seattle Opera Debut: Strawberry Woman, Porgy and Bess (’11)
Previously at Seattle Opera: Mabel Lewis, Jubilee (‘24); Neighbor/Ensemble, X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X (’24); Soloist, The Human Family: A Recital (’24); Wife #2/Market Woman #2, A Thousand Splendid Suns (’23); Serena, Porgy and Bess (’18)
Engagements:
Antron's Mother, The Central Park Five (Portland Opera); Soprano, Holiday Magic (Bellingham Symphony Orchestra); Recitalist, Wisdom (The Lincoln Theater), Featured Artist, In The Garden of Sonder (Lakewold Gardens); Recitalist, The Earth is a Living Thing (Jansen Art Center)

Last Updated: January 2025

Ibidunni Ojikutu

Second Lady

Feb. 22, 23, & 26
Mar. 1, 2, 7, 8, & 9

Laurel Semerdjian

Third Lady

Mezzo-soprano
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Third Lady, The Magic Flute

Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Seattle Opera Debut
Engagements: Ragonde, Le comte Ory, Suzuki, Madama Butterfly (Opera Southwest); Zulma, L’Italiana in Algeri (St. Petersburg Opera Company); Public Opinion, Orpheus in the Underworld (Madison Opera); Carmen, Carmen (Tacoma Opera); Mezzo Soloist, Verdi’s Requiem (Symphony Tacoma); Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 (Syracuse Symphony)

Last Updated: December 2024

Laurel Semerdjian

Third Lady

Seattle Opera Debut
Feb. 22, 23, & 26
Mar. 1, 2, 7, 8, & 9

Rodell Rosel

Monostatos

Tenor
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Monostatos, The Magic Flute 

Hometown: Manila, Philippines
Seattle Opera Debut: Monostatos, The Magic Flute (‘17)
Previously at Seattle Opera: Goro, Madame Butterfly (‘17)
Engagements: Monostatos, The Magic Flute (Grand Teton Musical Fesitval, Metropolitan Opera); Monsieur Taupe, Capriccio (Edinburgh International Festival); Goro, Madame Butterfly (LA Opera, Opera San Antonio, Austin Opera, Houston Grand Opera); Loge, Das Rheingold (Calgary Opera); Beppe, Pagliacci (Austin Opera); Calaf, Turandot (Opera Southwest)

Last updated: December 2024

Rodell Rosel

Monostatos

Feb. 22, 23, & 26
Mar. 1, 2, 7, 8, & 9

Tess Altiveros

Papagena

Soprano
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Ascagne, Les Troyens in Concert; Papagena, The Magic Flute
At Seattle Opera in 2025/26: Edith, The Pirates of Penzance

Hometown: Seattle, WA
Seattle Opera Debut: Clorinda, The Combat (’17)
Previously at Seattle Opera: Nana/Market #1/Wajma, A Thousand Splendid Suns (’23); Giannetta, The Elixir of Love (’21, ‘22); Female Soldier, The Falling & The Rising (’19); E, O+E (’18)
Engagements: Soloist, Missa Solemnis (Boulder Philharmonic); Soloist, Cinco Poemas de Vinicius de Moraes (Greenville Symphony); Mimì, La bohème (Intermountain Opera); Susanna, Le nozze di Figaro (Opera Idaho); Soldier, The Falling & The Rising (Des Moines Metro Opera, Arizona Opera, Intermountain Opera, Opera Memphis)

Last Updated: October 2024

Tess Altiveros

Papagena

Feb. 22, 23, & 26
Mar. 1, 2, 7, 8, & 9

Michael J. Hawk

The Speaker (The Old Priest)

Baritone
At Seattle Opera in 2025/26: Fourth Shepherd, Daphne in Concert

Hometown: Fredonia, NY
Seattle Opera Debut: Fiorello, The Barber of Seville (’24)
Previously at Seattle Opera: The Speaker, The Magic Flute (’25); Silvio, Pagliacci (’24); Soloist, 60th Anniversary Concert & Gala (’24)
2024/25 Seattle Opera Resident Artist

Engagements: Mr. Fox, The Fantastic Mr. Fox (Opera Omaha); Per Hansa, Giants in the Earth (South Dakota Symphony); Papageno, The Magic Flute (Buffalo Philharmonic); Demetrius, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Santa Fe Opera); Ophémon, The Anonymous Lover, The Speaker, The Magic Flute, Schaunard, La bohème (LA Opera)

Last Updated: May 2025

Michael J. Hawk

The Speaker (The Old Priest)

Feb. 22, 23
Mar. 1, 2, 7, 8, & 9

Chad DeMaris

First Armored Man

Tenor
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: First Armored Man, The Magic Flute

Hometown: Mason City, IA
Seattle Opera Debut: Cop/Reporter 2, X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X (‘24)
Previously at Seattle Opera:
Historian, Stomping Grounds (’24); Monkey, Monkey and Francine in the City of Tigers (‘24); Eduardo Jr./Mr. Xoloti, Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World (‘23)
Engagements: Soloist, Missa in tempore belli (Masterworks Choral Ensemble), Kaspar, Amahl and the Night Visitors (Kitsap Opera, St. Thomas Medina); Spoletta (cover), Tosca, Scottish Soldier #1, Silent Night (Utah Opera); Soloist, St. Matthew Passion (Salt Lake Choral Artists); Xu Xian, Madame White Snake (Edgar Snow Symposium)

Last Updated: January 2025

Chad DeMaris

First Armored Man

Feb. 22, 23, & 26
Mar. 1, 2, 7, 8, & 9

Edwin Jhamal Davis

Second Armored Man

Bass
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Second Armored Man, The Magic Flute

Hometown: Utica, MS
Seattle Opera Debut: Ensemble, X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X (’24)
Engagements: Garvey Preacher, X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X (The Metropolitan Opera); Colline, La bohème (Opera Memphis, Intermountain Opera Bozeman); Sarastro, The Magic Flute (Merola Opera Program); King, Aida (Opera Grand Rapids); Angelotti, Tosca (New Orleans Opera)

Last Updated: December 2024

Edwin Jhamal Davis

Second Armored Man

Feb. 22, 23, & 26
Mar. 1, 2, 7, 8, & 9

Ethan Ibsen

First Genie

Soprano
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25:
First Genie, The Magic Flute

Hometown: Seattle, WA
Seattle Opera Debut
Engagements:
Soloist, The Snowman (Seattle Symphony, Northwest Boychoir); Soloist, Matteo Messina’s The Symphony of Wonder (LUMA); Amahl, Amahl and the Night Visitors (St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Green Lake Church); A Festival of Lessons and Carols, Choral Traditions (Northwest Boychoir); Tan Dun’s Buddha Passion, Carmina Burana, Mahler Symphony No. 3 (Seattle Symphony)

Last updated: December 2024

Ethan Ibsen

First Genie

Seattle Opera Debut
Feb. 22 & 26
Mar. 2 & 8

Autumn Helene Chociej

Second Genie

Soprano
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Youth Chorus, Pagliacci; Maid Marion, Robin Hood; Second Genie, The Magic Flute; Youth Chorus, Tosca

Hometown: Auburn, WA
Seattle Opera Debut
Previously at Seattle Opera:
Susan Slackentwist, Rootabaga Country (‘24)
Engagements: Jazz Choir & Advanced Symphonic Choir (Auburn High School); Green River Voices Jazz Ensemble (Green River College); 2025 All-Northwest Jazz Choir (National Association for Music Education)

Last Updated: December 2024

Autumn Helene Chociej

Second Genie

Seattle Opera Debut
Feb. 22 & 26
Mar. 2 & 8

Caleb Petrini

Third Genie

Soprano
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25:
Third Genie, The Magic Flute

Hometown: Normandy Park, WA
Seattle Opera Debut
Engagements:
Teen Sounds Northwest Choir; Les, Newsies (Hi-Liners Musical Theatre); Soloist, Silent Night (Seattle Stake Choir, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)

Last updated: December 2024

Caleb Petrini

Third Genie

Seattle Opera Debut
Feb. 22 & 26
Mar. 2 & 8

Sanne Christine Smith

First Genie

Soprano
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25
: First Genie, The Magic Flute

Hometown: Seattle, WA
Seattle Opera Debut
Engagements: Soprano, The Nutcracker (Evergreen City Ballet Orchestra); José Luis Muñoz ​Music Academy; Seattle Historical Arts for Kids

Last updated: January 2025

Sanne Christine Smith

First Genie

Seattle Opera Debut
Feb. 23
Mar. 1, 7, & 9

Grace Elaine Franck-Smith

Second Genie

Soprano
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Second Genie, The Magic Flute; Shepherd Boy, Tosca

Hometown: Seattle, WA
Seattle Opera Debut: Zalmai, A Thousand Splendid Suns (‘23)
Engagements: Soprano, i believe (Bellevue Chamber Chorus); A Sammamish Family Concert (Sammamish Symphony Orchestra); The Nutcracker (Evergreen City Ballet Orchestra); José Luis Muñoz ​Music Academy; Seattle Historical Arts for Kids

Last Updated: February 2025

Grace Elaine Franck-Smith

Second Genie

Feb. 23
Mar. 1, 7, & 9

Anthony E. Kim

Third Genie

Soprano
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25
: Third Genie, The Magic Flute; Shepherd Boy, Tosca

Hometown: Bellevue, WA
Seattle Opera Debut
Engagements: Soloist, Jó pásztorok, Soprano, Christmas in Vienna, Soloist, Every Year Again, Soloist, UN International Energy and Climate Forum, Soloist, A Tribute to Vienna, Soprano, 525th Anniversary of Vienna Boys Choir (Vienna Boys Choir)

Last updated: December 2024

Anthony E. Kim

Third Genie

Seattle Opera Debut
Feb. 23
Mar. 1, 7, & 9

Creative Team

Christine Brandes

Conductor

Conductor
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Conductor, The Magic Flute

Hometown: Canton, OH
Seattle Opera Debut: Cleopatra, Julius Caesar in Egypt (’07)
Previously at Seattle Opera: Conductor, Alcina (’23); Pamina, The Magic Flute (’11); Susanna, The Marriage of Figaro (’09)
Engagements:
Conductor, Così fan tutte (Wolf Trap Opera); Die Zauberflöte (Florida Grand Opera); Semele (Atlanta Opera); Giulio Cesare in Egitto (West Edge Opera); Orfeo ed Euridice (West Edge Opera, Victory Hall Opera); Guest Conductor (Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra; Les Violons du Roy; Trinity Baroque Orchestra)

Last Updated: August 2024

Christine Brandes

Conductor

Erik Friedman

Revival Stage Director

Revival Stage Director
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: 
The Magic Flute

Hometown: Oswego, IL
Seattle Opera Debut
Engagements:
 Revival Director, The Magic Flute (The Royal Danish Opera, Houston Grand Opera, The Israeli Opera); Assistant Director, Der Zwerg (LA Opera); Roberto Devereux (LA Opera); Rusalka (Lyric Opera of Chicago)

Last updated: March 2024

Erik Friedman

Revival Stage Director

Seattle Opera Debut

Joshua R. Horowitz

Assistant Stage Director

At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Assistant Stage Director, The Magic Flute

Hometown: Old Bethpage, NY
Seattle Opera Debut: Associate Director, La traviata (’23)
Engagements: Director, Rumpelstiltskin and the Unlovable Children (The Glimmerglass Festival); Director, Journey to Valhalla, Associate Director, The Barber of Seville, Assistant Director, Romeo et Juliette (Lyric Opera of Kansas City); Associate Director, La traviata (Detroit Opera); Associate Director, Romeo et Juliette, Assistant Director, Porgy and Bess (Washington National Opera); Associate Director, The Barber of Seville (North Carolina Opera)

Last Updated: January 2025

Joshua R. Horowitz

Assistant Stage Director

Suzanne Andrade

Production

At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Production, The Magic Flute

Hometown: London, UK
Seattle Opera Debut
Engagements:
Writer & Director, Please right back (Burgtheater Vienna, Edinburgh International Festival, UK Tour); Creator & Performer, Interview with the Vampire (AMC, AMC+, BBC); Writer & Director, Roots (Spoleto Festival USA, Edinburgh International Festival, Theatre de la Ville Paris, HOME Manchester + UK & International Tour); Director, Petrushka (Komishce Opera Berlin & Deutsche Opera am Rhein); Golem (Salzburg Festival, Theatre de la Ville Paris & Young Vic London + UK & International Tour + TV adaptation for BBC Four)

Last Updated: October 2024

Suzanne Andrade

Production

Seattle Opera Debut

Barrie Kosky

Production

At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Production, The Magic Flute

Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
Seattle Opera Debut
Engagements:
The Monteverdi Trilogy, Rigoletto, La bohème (Komische Oper Berlin); Die Schweigsame Frau, Agrippina, The Fiery Angel (Bavarian State Opera); Prince Igor, Les Brigands (The Paris Opera); Tosca, Turandot, Il Trittico (Dutch National Opera); Das Rheingold (Royal Opera House Covent Garden)

Last Updated: October 2024

Barrie Kosky

Production

Seattle Opera Debut

Paul Barritt

Animation

At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Animation, The Magic Flute

Hometown: Margate, England
Seattle Opera Debut
Engagements:
Co-Artistic Director, Animator, & Designer, Please Right Back (2024 Tour); Co-Artistic Director, Animator, & Designer, Edinburgh International Festival (South Bank Centre London); Creator & Animator, Interview with a Vampire (AMC); Animation & Graphic Designer, Monk in Pieces (110th Street Films); Director & Animator, One of Those Days (Ozzy Osbourne Music Video); Director & Animator, The Tales of Hoffman (Opera Graz)

Last Updated: November 2024

Paul Barritt

Animation

Seattle Opera Debut

1927 & Barrie Kosky

Conception

At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Conception, The Magic Flute

Founded in 2005 by Co-Artistic Directors, Suzanne Andrade and Paul Barritt, 1927 works across theatre and opera to craft award-winning productions of ambition and scale that synchronize performance and live music with handcrafted animation. Although based in England, 1927’s work has been seen by over 2 million people in 50 countries and across 6 continents, ranging from larger-than-life operas in Los Angeles to small shows in church halls in Lagos, and from Ozzy Osbourne music videos to TV shows on AMC. The Magic Flute, which was co-conceived by 1927 and Barrie Kosky, and premiered at the Komische Opera Berlin in 2012, marked 1927’s first opera, first large-scale production, and first time tackling a pre-existing work. 1927’s The Magic Flute has since been experienced all around the world, running in repertoire in Poland, Germany, and Finland, and has received an Opera World Award.

1927 & Barrie Kosky

Conception

Esther Bialas

Stage Design & Costumes

At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Stage Design and Costumes, The Magic Flute

Hometown: Berlin, Germany
Seattle Opera Debut
Engagements:
Costume and Stage Designer, The Miracle of Heliane (SummerScape NY Bard); West Side Story (Komische Oper Berlin); Cinderella (Oper Oslo); The Flying Dutchman (Opera Wiesbaden); Macbeth/Richard III/ King Lear Richard III (Schauspielhaus Düsseldorf); Nixon in China (Opera Hannover)

Last Updated: December 2024

Esther Bialas

Stage Design & Costumes

Seattle Opera Debut

Robertson Witmer

Sound Designer

Sound Designer
At Seattle Opera in 2025/26:
The Pirates of Penzance

Hometown: Seattle, WA
Seattle Opera Debut:
The Falling & The Rising (’19)
Previously at Seattle Opera: Tosca (’25); The Magic Flute (’25); Jubilee (’24); X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X (’24); Das Rheingold (’23); A Thousand Splendid Suns (’23); Orpheus and Eurydice (’22); Tosca ('21); Flight ('21); Don Giovanni ('21); Charlie Parker’s Yardbird (’20)
Engagements: Fancy Dancer (Seattle Rep); Enemy of the People (ACT Contemporary Theatre); Peril in the Alps (Laguna Playhouse)

Last updated: May 2025

Robertson Witmer

Sound Designer

Ashlee Naegle

Wigs, Hair, and Makeup Manager & Designer

At Seattle Opera in 2025/26: Wigs, Hair, and Makeup Manager & Designer, The Pirates of PenzanceFellow TravelersCarmen; Hair and Makeup Manager & Designer, Daphne in Concert

Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Seattle Opera Debut: Hair and Makeup Intern, Giulio Cesare (2007)
Previously at Seattle Opera: Wigs, Hair, and Makeup Designer, Pagliacci ('24); Jubilee ('24); Lucidity ('24); Les Troyens in Concert ('25); The Magic Flute ('25); Tosca ('25); Supplemental Wigs, Hair and Makeup Designer, Das Rheingold ('23); Alcina ('23); X: The Life & Times of Malcolm X ('24); The Barber of Seville ('24)

Ashlee Naegle made a name for herself early on in her career by mastering the dying art of wig building. She created and designed for several companies around town until the Seattle Opera created an in-house Hair and Makeup Designer position for her in 2017. During her time as the in-house Hair and Makeup Designer, she has built a sizable wig collection, built a department, and set high standards for wigs, hair and makeup. With each production, her designs are custom built for the performers and their characters to create a believable façade for the audience as well as complement the costumes and production as a whole.

Last Updated: July 2025

Ashlee Naegle

Wigs, Hair, and Makeup Manager & Designer

Michaella Calzaretta

Chorus Master

Chorus Master

Hometown: Muscatine, IA
Seattle Opera debut: The Elixir of Love (’22)
Michaella Calzaretta made her Seattle Opera debut in 2022 as the company’s new chorus master and head of music staff. Acclaimed for her high standards and superb preparation skills, Calzaretta oversees all musical activities at the company and prepares the chorus for main stage productions. In January, the chorus embarked on their immensely successful first-ever tour to Mt. Vernon and Vashon Island. Recent praise includes “Her chorus was one of the stars... the voices were radiant” (Bachtrack) and “... the singers are both zesty and accurate (they’re also extremely nimble)” (The Seattle Times). Calzaretta is a doctoral candidate in choral conducting at Indiana University.

Last Updated: July 2024

Michaella Calzaretta

Chorus Master

Julia Meyering

Youth Vocal Coach

At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Youth Chorus Master, Pagliacci; Youth Vocal Coach, The Magic Flute; Youth Chorus Master, Tosca

Hometown: Kent, WA
Seattle Opera Debut: Pagliacci (’24)

Julia Meyering made her Seattle Opera singing debut in 2018 as a chorus member in Porgy and Bess (’18). She is thrilled to be joining Seattle Opera as Youth Chorus Master. Currently, she serves as choral director at Tillicum Middle School in Bellevue, WA, where her choirs have won numerous regional, national, and international choir competitions.

Last Updated: July 2024

Julia Meyering

Youth Vocal Coach

Staging Staff

Jonathan Moore

Production Stage Manager

Production Stage Manager

Hometown: Houston, TX
Seattle Opera Mainstage Debut: Les Troyens in Concert (’25)
Jonathan Moore (he/him) is thrilled to be a part of the Seattle Opera Production Team as Production Stage Manager. He has primarily worked in opera and ballet, including, most recently, a 4-season stint at the Houston Ballet. He has also stage managed for plays, musicals, a Fringe Festival, concerts, and a drag show. Favorite projects include a tour to Tokyo, an opera in a hot spring, and several operas in barns. He has worked across the country, including in New York, San Diego, San Antonio, Steamboat Springs, and Logan, UT.

Last Updated: February 2025

Jonathan Moore

Production Stage Manager

Mike Egan

Video Stage Manager

At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Video Stage Manager, The Magic Flute

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Seattle Opera Debut: Salome ('02)
Previously at Seattle Opera: A Thousand Splendid Suns (‘23); Ring cycle (‘05, ‘13); Lohengrin (‘04); Parsifal (‘03) 

Last Updated: October 2024

Mike Egan

Video Stage Manager

Jonathan S. Campbell

Assistant Stage Manager

Assistant Stage Manager
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: The Magic Flute

Hometown: West Chester, PA
Seattle Opera Debut
Engagements: Staff Assistant Stage Manager, Carmen, Tristan und Isolde, Innocence, Die Frau ohne Schatten, Omar (San Francisco Opera)

Last Updated: December 2024

Jonathan S. Campbell

Assistant Stage Manager

Seattle Opera Debut

Quinn Chase

Assistant Stage Manager

Assistant Stage Manager
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: PagliacciJubileeThe Magic FluteTosca

Hometown: Coventry, RI
Seattle Opera Debut: Il trovatore ('19)
Previously at Seattle Opera: Jubilee (‘24); Pagliacci (‘24); X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X ('24); Das Rheingold ('23); A Thousand Splendid Suns ('23)
Engagements: Blithe Spirit, Sanctuary City, Selling Kabul, Teenage Dick (Seattle Repertory Theatre); A Christmas Carol (ACT Contemporary Theatre); Everything is Illuminated (Book-It Repertory Theatre)

Last Updated: January 2025

Quinn Chase

Assistant Stage Manager

Orchestra, Chorus, & Additional Artists

Orchestra

Violin I
Helen Kim, Concertmaster
Emerson Millar, Assistant Concertmaster
Timothy Garland
Wayne Lee
Mikhail Shmidt
John Weller
Jeannie Wells Yablonsky
Ilana Zaks

Violin II
Cameron Daly, Principal
Gennady Filimonov, Asst. Principal
Evan Anderson
Stephen Bryant
Artur Girsky
Andrew Yeung
Caitlin Kelley

Viola
Kate Liu, Principal
Ursula Steele, Asst. Principal
Gerald Liu
Kayleigh Miller
Camille Ripple

Cello
Efe Baltacigil, Principal
Nathan Chan, Asst. Principal
Emily Hu
Charles Jacot

Double Bass
Joseph Kaufman, Principal
Will Langlie-Miletich, Asst. Principal
Travis Gore

Flute
Jeffrey Barker, Principal
Bridget Pei

Piccolo
Bridget Pei

Oboe
Mary Lynch VanderKolk, Principal
Dan Williams

Basset Horn
Benjamin Lulich, Principal
Laura DeLuca

Bassoon
Luke Fieweger, Principal
Paul Rafanelli

Horn
John Turman, Principal
Matthew Berliner

Trumpet
Alexander White, Principal
Michael Myers

Trombone
Ko-ichiro Yamamoto, Principal
Carson Keeble
Eden Garza

Timpani
Eric Schweikert, Principal

Fortepiano/Celeste
Jay Rozendaal

Offstage Percussion
Gunnar Folsom
Rob Tucker

Personnel Manager
Constance Aguocha

Assistant Personnel Manager
Keith Higgins

 

 

Rotational members of the string sections are listed alphabetically.

 

Chorus

Soprano
Jennifer Campbell
Karen Early Evans
Dana Johnson Robbins
Ellaina Lewis
Shelly Traverse
Lyndee White

Alto
Erica Convery
YeonSoo Lee
Elizabeth Peterson
Melissa Plagemann
Heidi Vanderford
Lucy Weber

Tenor
Callum Alden
Hugh Davis
Andrew Etherington
James Galbraith
Tim Janecke
Eric Angus Jeffords
Ian Loney
Carson Lott
Jon Suek
Stephen Wall

Bass
Mark Davies
Craig Grayson
Glenn Guhr
Zachary Martin
Michael Monnikendam
Micah Parker
Julian Reisenthel
Jonah Spool
Revere Taylor
Robin Wyatt-Stone

 

Supernumeraries

Roxanne Alabastro
Keith Freeman
Kevin Swantek

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Photos & Videos

Listen to the Music

Articles & Events

Praise for The Magic Flute

Read what critics have to say about this audacious new production of Mozart's beloved opera.

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How is this Magic Flute different?

Learn more about the unique design elements in this production of The Magic Flute.

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The Magic Flute in Pop Culture

Learn more about the numerous references and widespread influence of The Magic Flute on the pop culture landscape.

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A Magical Storybook

Read an interview with Barrie Kosky, Suzanne Andrade, and Paul Barritt on what inspired this production of The Magic Flute: flying elephants, the world of silent film, and the eternal search for love.

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An Immersive Seminar: The Magic Flute

Tuesdays, Jan. 28–Feb. 11, 25, & Mar. 11, 2025
The Opera Center

Dive deeper into this beloved opera with an in-person seminar class led by Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean. This class is intended for patrons who are already ticket holders or are planning to purchase tickets to The Magic Flute.

Learn More

The Magic Flute Artists in Recital

Friday, February 7, 2025 at 7:30 PM
The Opera Center

Join cast members of The Magic Flute, soprano Brandie Sutton and tenor Victor Robertson, for an evening of songs, arias, and more.

Learn More

Principal Singer Season Sponsor

Joan Watjen—in memory of Craig M. Watjen

Production Sponsors

National Endowment for the Arts
Nesholm Family Foundation
Port of Seattle

A Production of the Komische Oper Berlin.
Co-produced by Los Angeles Opera and Minnesota Opera.

Main Image © Cory Weaver | Photos: The Magic Flute, Komische Oper Berlin © Jaro Suffner