Libretto Actor-singer-showman Emanuel Schikaneder wrote the libretto for The Magic Flute, which is noted for its Masonic elements that promote universal brotherhood, as indeed, both Schikaneder and Mozart were Masons. And yet, the opera's story is also a classic tale of love overcoming trials and tribulations, and of the triumph of good over evil.
Just as The Magic Flute offers both the simple and the philosophical in the themes of its plot, the opera's music is at the same time both complex and simple. The opera premiered in Vienna on September 30, , with Mozart conducting the orchestra. After its great success, Mozart soon became ill and took to his bed around the 20th of November, and died in the early morning hours of December 5th.
To this day, The Magic Flute remains one of Mozart's most universally beloved operas. Email This BlogThis! No comments:. Newer Post Older Post Home. Subscribe to: Post Comments Atom.
Mozart did not have the pleasure of witnessing this milestone, as he had died 5 December Since its premiere, The Magic Flute has always been one of the most beloved works in the operatic repertoire, and is presently the third most frequently performed opera world wide. The Magic Flute is noted for its prominent Masonic elements.
Schikaneder and Mozart were Masons and lodge brothers, as was Ignaz Alberti, engraver and printer of the first libretto. The opera is also influenced by Enlightenment philosophy, and can be regarded as an allegory advocating enlightened absolutism.
The Queen of the Night represents a dangerous form of obscurantism or, according to some, the anti-Masonic Roman Catholic Empress Maria Theresa, or, according to others, the contemporary Roman Catholic Church itself, which was also strongly anti-Masonic see Papal ban of Freemasonry.
Her antagonist Sarastro symbolises the enlightened sovereign who rules according to principles based on reason, wisdom, and nature. These singers perform with an orchestra consisting of two flutes one doubling on piccolo , two oboes, two clarinets doubling basset horns , two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, three trombones alto, tenor, and bass , timpani and strings. The work also requires a four-part chorus for several numbers notably the finales of each act. Zu Hilfe!
He faints, and three ladies, attendants of the Queen of the Night, appear and kill the serpent. They find the unconscious prince extremely attractive, and each of them tries to convince the other two to leave. After arguing, they reluctantly decide to leave together. Tamino wakes. Papageno enters dressed as a bird. Tamino introduces himself to Papageno, thinking Papageno killed the serpent. Papageno happily takes the credit — claiming he strangled it with his bare hands.
The three ladies suddenly reappear and place a padlock over his mouth as a warning not to lie. The ladies return and tell Tamino Pamina has been captured by Sarastro, a supposedly evil sorcerer. Tamino vows to rescue Pamina.
They give Tamino a magic flute which has the power to change sorrow into joy. They tell Papageno to go with Tamino, and give him Papageno magic bells for protection. Monostatos, a blackamoor and chief of the slaves, orders the slaves to chain her and leave him alone with her. Papageno returns and announces to Pamina that her mother has sent Tamino to save her. Pamina rejoices to hear that Tamino is in love with her.
She offers sympathy and hope to Papageno, who longs for a wife. Tamino approaches the left-hand entrance and is denied access by voices from within. The same happens when he goes to the entrance on the right.
But from the entrance in the middle, an old priest appears and lets Tamino in. He tells Tamino that Sarastro is benevolent, not evil, and that he should not trust the Queen of the Night. Tamino plays his magic flute. Animals appear and dance, enraptured, to his music. Papageno and Pamina enter, searching for Tamino. The second ordeal has begun for Tamino and Papageno: a vow of silence.
Papageno heartily ignores this, chattering cheerfully with his companion. Pamina finds them, but believes herself betrayed when Tamino refuses to speak to her. Her happiness dashed, she leaves in despair, but Tamino passes the second test. He encounters an old woman who, once he has sworn lifelong fidelity to her, reveals herself as a young girl named Papagena.
But as he has disobeyed the vow of silence, she is driven away from him. Beside herself with grief, Pamina contemplates suicide, but the three spirits intervene, bringing her and Tamino together for the final trials.
The Magic Flute is sung in English and lasts approximately 2 hours 45 minutes including one interval. Join in on social media with ONMagicFlute. As a charity, Opera North relies on donations to ensure that we can continue producing new and diverse work. You can help us use music to bring people together, now and in the future.
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