When Mozart’s fairy tale The Magic Flute opens at McCaw Hall this Saturday, soprano Emily Hindrichs will make her Seattle Opera debut as the infamous Queen of the Night. (The part is shared with Mari Moriya, another SO newcomer.) Hindrichs is no stranger to the role: By 2012, the former SO Young Artist will have played the Queen in England, New Orleans, Mississippi, Seattle, Syracuse, and Germany. She took a few minutes from a hectic opening-week schedule to talk opera villains and Cupcake Royale.

The Queen of the Night was your first major role [in 2004 at the University of Southern Mississippi]. How has your understanding of the role changed, from that first performance to this one?

When I first played the Queen, I wasn’t confident enough to seek the non-obvious choices. She was powerful and dark, but there was no chink in her armor… In this production, she’s more sensitive, more vulnerable than I’ve ever played her before. It allows the audience to empathize with her, instead of seeing her as manipulative and vengeful from the get-go. It also makes the transformation into venom and rage even more effective.

What’s different or surprising about this production of The Magic Flute?

Zandra [Rhode’s] costumes are some of the most creative and beautiful I’ve ever seen. I’m completely in love with the animals she designed—watch for the emu, she’s my favorite. What’s surprising is the amount of depth [director] Chris Alexander has been able to execute in such a short period of time. His knowledge and understanding of the characters has allowed us to build more complex relationships.

When you’re performing in Seattle, do you get the chance to explore the city?

My best friend says I like to eat my way through a city, and Seattle is no different. I’m a longtime devotee of Cupcake Royale (the Ballard shop is my favorite) and I’m trying to work my way through all of Tom Douglas’s new restaurants. I’m hoping to make a trip out to Woodinville to visit the wineries while the weather is still nice.

Any behind-the-scenes details we should look for?

There’s a very festive prop in Act II—you’ll know it when you see it!

Seattle Opera’s The Magic Flute is at McCaw Hall from May 7–21. For more from Hindrichs, check Seattle Opera’s blog at seattleopera.blogspot.com.