The Magic Flute
Presentation by Jenny Gaunt
The Magic Flute
(German: Die Zauberflöte)
Many people think this is Mozart‘s most
popular and beautiful opera. It was first
performed in 1791 and was written for the
people of Austria.
The first audiences had to wait many hours in
line for tickets to the opera, and found it
necessary to be in their seats by 4:00pm for a
7:00pm performance! Have you ever waited 3
hours for a show?
Mozart’s friend Schikaneder worked organising
concerts and operas, and asked him to write
the music for his libretto. He must have been
worried when Mozart hadn’t finished it days
before the premier!
The Composer
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Mozart’s full name was Johannes
Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart.
What a mouthful!
Mozart was known as a child prodigy. He
travelled with his family from the age of 5,
performing to royalty. He composed from the
age of 4 and wrote his first opera at the age of
12. At 17 he started working as a court
musician in Salzburg.
Mozart was ill when he wrote this opera. In
fact, it was one of the last works he wrote.
Mozart had an illness called rheumatic fever,
one that is cured today by modern medicine.
The Librettist
Schikaneder created the story, wrote the
libretto and played the part of one of the main
characters when the opera was first
performed.
Many of Schikaneder’s concerts were
spectacular and involved lots of special effects.
Even a flying machine was used for the
appearances of some of the characters.
The opera made Schikaneder a rich man (at
least for a time) and his theatre the most
popular in Vienna.
Here’s the Story…
The hero, Tamino, slays a dragon at the beginning of the opera. However
feathered bird catcher, claims he was the slayer. To punish him for lying,
the Three Ladies lock his mouth up.
They then beg Tamino to rescue the Princess Pamina
who is being held against her will by Monostatos.
Papageno , a
Here’s the Story…
Tamino falls in love with her picture and willingly agrees to find her. Tamino tries, without
success, to unlock the mouth of the struggling Papageno. The Three Ladies appear again and
remove the lock. They give Tamino a magic flute to aid him in his quest to save the Queen’s
daughter, Pamina. To Papageno, who is commanded to accompany Tamino, they give a set of
magic bells to protect him on the journey.
Tamino and Papageno journey to the evil Monostaotos’ domain to rescue Pamina. Using the
magic flute and bells they tame Monostatos and his wild animals and they rescue Pamina. Of
course Tamino and Pamina fall in love!
Poor old Papageno is still seeking a wife and with a little bit of help from magic and the three
ladies he finds his perfect wife in Papagena and everyone lives happily ever after.
The Libretto – Papageno’s Aria
German – English Translation
The Opera
(German: Die Zauberflöte)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBsPKRWoln0
Papageno’s Aria
What is an Aria?
A solo song.
What type of operatic voice does the character
of Papageno have?
Baritone
Can you work out the rhythm to Papageno’s Aria?
4
4
B
I-
A
G
am
Drag the rhythms
to their beat.
Ti ti
Ta
Tom
Ti
A
wide-
D
Pa-
B
is
G
a
A G
ma-n
F# G
o-f
B
spread
A
fame
F#
and
D
pa-
hD
ge-
hD
no
A
my
G
name.
G
D
D G D
D A D
D
G
G
D
G
C
C
G
D
GDG
G D G
D
D
D
G
G
DG D
DG
G
D
D
D
G
D
G
G
The Magic Flute
(German: Die Zauberflöte)
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Magic_Flute
http://www.sdopera.com/Operapaedia/TheMagicFlute
www.aria-dase.com
http://magic-flute.harmoniamundi.com/?page_id=84