Die Zauberflöte

Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) is an opera in two acts composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to a German libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. This opera is in the form of a singspiel, a popular form which included both singing and spoken dialogue. It premiered in Vienna on September 30, 1791.

Related Topics:
Opera - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - German - Libretto - Emanuel Schikaneder - Singspiel - Vienna - September 30 - 1791

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The premiere was at an out-of-town but not obscure theater. Schikaneder himself played Papageno, while the Queen was played by Mozart's sister-in-law Josepha Hofer. The opera was not an immediate success, but slowly thanks to Schikaneder's business acumen, it gained popularity. By November 1792, Schikaneder announced the opera's 100th performance. Unfortunately, Mozart was not granted the pleasure of attending this anniversary - he had died on December 5, 1791. Today, it remains one of the most-performed works in the repertoire.

Related Topics:
December 5 - 1791

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The opera is often noted for its Masonic elements, which are rife and often elaborate. Both Schikaneder and Mozart were Masons and lodge brothers. In the political climate of the times, Freemasonry was considered a dangerous organization. Many of the opera's ideas and motifs also echo those of Enlightenment philosophy.

Related Topics:
Masonic - Enlightenment

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Many of the melodies are highly familiar, and include the Papageno/Papagena duet and the coloratura aria, "Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen" ("The vengeance of Hell is in my heart"), often referred to as the "Queen of the Night" aria, which reaches a high f6.

Related Topics:
Duet - Coloratura - Aria

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