The Magic Flute, K. 620, is an opera in two acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, written in 1791 and premiered on September 30, 1791, at the Friedrich Wilhelm Theater in Berlin. The work is a Singspiel, a popular form during its time that included singing and spoken dialogue. The 100th performance, held nearly a year after Mozart’s death, took place in October 2022.
The Magic Flute is set in ancient Egypt, with its story centered around Prince Tamino, who embarks on a quest to win the hand of the princess, Pamina. To marry Pamina, Tamino must undergo initiation rites, symbolizing those found in Freemasonry, which test his dedication to reason. The first performance took place at the Theater auf der Wieden in Vienna, where the piece was composed for a suburban theatre in Vienna with which Mozart had a close relationship.
The Magic Flute is set in a mythical land between the sun and the moon, where three ladies in the service of the Queen of the Night save Prince Tamino from a serpent. In Sarastro’s palace, his slave Monostatos pursues Pamina, and Papageno, sent ahead by Tamino, enters and frightens each other. The flute, given to Tamino, summons Pamina and protects them from danger. It seems like a sort of general magic, and it is no coincidence that the original production of The Magic Flute was set in Egypt, the land of which Masonry traces its origins. Since October 2022, the Magic Flute House has been located in the courtyard of the Mozart Residence at Makartplatz 8 in Salzburg.
📹 The secrets of Mozart’s “Magic Flute” – Joshua Borths
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte” (“The Magic Flute”) is widely regarded as one of the most influential operas in …
Is The Magic Flute in German?
The Magic Flute is an opera in two acts composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with music by Emanuel Schikaneder and a German libretto by Schikaneder. The opera is performed in two acts and has been added to the Simple English Wikipedia, with the intention of attracting further sources.
What is the story behind The Magic Flute by Mozart?
The Magic Flute is a Mozart opera that follows Prince Tamino and his companion, Papageno, on their quest to rescue Queen of the Night’s daughter, Pamina. The opera is a timeless classic that explores themes of truth, reason, love, and enlightenment. The characters are given musical instruments with magical powers to help them overcome trials and tribulations, ultimately leading them to a deeper understanding of true love and happiness. The Magic Flute is a timeless masterpiece that has been a beloved opera.
Is The Magic Flute homophonic?
The musical composition is primarily characterized by a straightforward, melody-centric approach to homophony, encompassing a combination of melodic lines and chords, with a discernible minimalism in the utilization of contrapuntal techniques.
Where is Magic Flute set?
The Magic Flute, a Mozart opera, was originally set in Egypt, a land where Masonry originated. It has been suggested that Mozart intended the piece to be a dramatic interpretation of a Masonic initiation ceremony, with Tamino undergoing trials similar to what Masons would have done to join the brotherhood. Simon McBurney, founder of theatre company Complicité, has directed this magical production, which has returned to the London Coliseum multiple times due to its popularity. McBurney’s inventive staging, using props and projections, and the unusual orchestral arrangement, with the ENO Orchestra playing on a stage-level platform, have delighted audiences.
Why is The Magic Flute so special?
The Magic Flute, initially a magic farce, gradually shifts towards Masonic ideals, highlighting the duality of Enlightenment and obscurantism. The opera follows the love story of Tamino and Pamina, who are caught between the forces of the feminine and masculine. The Queen of the Night represents darkness, negativity, and chaos, while the male Sarastro represents light, positivity, and order. Both Mozart and his librettist, Emanuel Schikaneder, were Freemasons, teaching self-enhancement and philosophy through ceremonies. The opera’s trials of silence, water, and fire reflect these ceremonies.
When and where was the story set in The Magic Flute?
The Magic Flute, set in ancient Egypt, chronicles the journey of Tamino, a young prince, as he embarks on a quest to win the hand of the princess Pamina. To prove his dedication to reason, he must undergo initiation rites that bear resemblance to Freemasonry.
Who is the real villain in The Magic Flute?
The Queen of the Night, also known as Königin der Nacht, is the main villain in Mozart’s 1791 opera, Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute). Initially introduced as a desperate mother whose daughter is kidnapped, she becomes the villain’s main antagonist, attempting to steal the powerful Circle of the Sun. Her role is among the most famous in opera, with her two coloratura arias, O Zittre Nicht Mein Lieber Sohn and Der Hölle Rache, becoming legendary.
The Queen of the Night is a majestic woman, clad in night and stars, and even Prince Tamino from a distant kingdom knows her name. Initially, she appears to be a loving mother, but in reality, she is cruel and selfish, willing to sacrifice her daughter for revenge.
Why can’t the prince speak in The Magic Flute?
In Act II, Sarastro explains that the union of Pamina and Tamino will ensure peace throughout the kingdom. He prays to Isis and Osiris to protect them. Papageno endures trials, including a vow of silence to reject the Kingdom of the Queen of the Night. The Queen orders Pamina to kill Sarastro and bring the shield of the Sun to her, which was given to him by her husband to rule the Temple of Wisdom.
Pamina is devastated by this and believes that he does not love her. Papageno, bored with the trials, plays the silver bells the Queen had given him before their journey began. He tells Pamina that his needs are simple – food, good wine, and someday, a pretty little wife. However, the priests tell him that he is not allowed to marry her unless he finishes his trials.
Pamina, desperate after being rejected by Tamino, is persuaded by the Three Boys that Tamino still loves her and is waiting for her to undertake the final trials of Fire and Water. Guided by the Magic Flute, the pair endure the final trial together. After a comical and aborted attempt at suicide, the priest relents, and Papageno is finally united with his Papagena. They sing about their happy life to come, making many little Papagenos and Papagenas, which is a cynical statement that there will always be more Papagenos in the world than Tamino.
The Queen, Monostatos, and the Three Ladies make a final assault on the Temple of Wisdom, but their attack is in vain as the light of the Temple dispels their hatred. Sarastro gives the mighty shield of the sun to Tamino and Pamina to rule the kingdom in perfect harmony.
In which country is The Magic Flute set?
The Magic Flute, a Mozart opera, was originally set in Egypt, a land where Masonry originated. It has been suggested that Mozart intended the piece to be a dramatic interpretation of a Masonic initiation ceremony, with Tamino undergoing trials similar to what Masons would have done to join the brotherhood. Simon McBurney, founder of theatre company Complicité, has directed this magical production, which has returned to the London Coliseum multiple times due to its popularity. McBurney’s inventive staging, using props and projections, and the unusual orchestral arrangement, with the ENO Orchestra playing on a stage-level platform, have delighted audiences.
What is the most famous piece from The Magic Flute?
The Queen of the Night’s Act II aria from Mozart’s opera, ‘Der Hölle Rache’, is known for its fast repetition of a high C and reaching several top F’s. Written for his sister-in-law, Josepha Hofer, the soprano performed the role for ten years before retiring in 1801. The aria follows the Queen’s demand for Pamina to plunge a knife into the heart of her rival, sorcerer Sarastro. Mozart and Emanuel Schikaneder were members of the same Masonic lodge, leading to speculation about hidden masonic symbols in the opera.
What is the meaning of die Zauberflöte?
The Magic Flute is a two-act German opera, performed in two acts.
📹 Mozart’s ‘Magic Flute’: an animated plot summary
The Magic Flute’ is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s final opera, and it contains one of the most well-known arias in music. But what is …
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