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 ComposerWolfgang 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 Papageno , a 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.

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 AriaGerman – English Translation

Birds, you say?

The Opera (German: Die Zauberflöte)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBsPKRWoln0

Papageno’s AriaWhat is an Aria?

A solo song.

What type of operatic voice does the character of Papageno have?

BaritoneTHE ANSWER LIETH HERE…

THE ANSWER LIETH HERE…

44

B A G G A G F# G I- am a ma-n o-f

A B A F#wide- spread fame and

D D hD hD Pa- pa- ge- no

B A Gis my name.

Can you work out the rhythm to Papageno’s Aria?

Drag the rhythmsto their beat.

Ti ti Ta Tom Ti

G D D G D D G D G D D G D D

D A D D G G D G D D G D G

G C D G D G

G C G D G G D 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