Mozart Opera Die Zauberflöte

The Magic Flute, Mozart's Opera Seria (Drama) with Mystic Overtone

Apr 13, 2007

The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte), by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Plot synopsis, character description, and other Mozart opera information.

The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte), an opera in two acts, remains one of the most extremely popular operas of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Composed in 1791, the German libretto was written by Emanuel Schikaneder, an actor-manager.

The first performance was in Theater auf der Wieden, Vienna, September 30, 1791. The setting is in Egypt, in and near the temple of Isis at Memphis at the time of Rameses I.

Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), a lyric drama with mystic overtones, was initially planned by Schikaneder as a popular fairy-tale with spoken and comic dialogue. The Queen of the Night was to be the heroine and Sarastro the villain. The roles of the Queen and Sarastro were reversed, with Sarastro becoming the good one.

Masonic symbolisms were introduced in this opera. It should be noted that it was that Mozart has converted to Masonry as well as Schikaneder, both of them belonging to the same lodge. Freemasonry returned to disfavour after the death of the liberal-minded Josef II in 1790.

In a way, the piece was venue for protest and an operatic allegory for the need to purify one's self before entering earthly trials. Die Zauberflöte inspired and impressed prominent non-musicians like Johann von Goethe, among others. Once again, the music shows Mozart's immense brilliance in its clarity and lyricism.

Basic Plot Summary

Act I

The Magic Flute opera embodies the principles of good versus evil, the good represented by the high priest Sarastro, and evil, by the Queen of the Night. The Queen has a daughter Pamina. Prince Tamino falls in love with Pamina's portrait. He is sent by the Queen of the Night to rescue Pamina from Sarastro, the Queen's enemy.

Papageno, the bird-catcher, is sent with Tamino. They both receive a magic flute and magic bells to guard them against danger. In Sarastro's temple Pamina resists the advances of the evil slave Monostatos, who is frightened off by Papageno's arrival. Papageno and Pamina flee. Meanwhile, Prince Tamino encounters Sarastro's followers and decides to join them. Tamino and Pamina finally meet.

Act II

Sarastro orders Tamino and Pamina to pass the tests that will prove them worthy. In spite of temptations, the Prince remains faithful to Sarastro. The Queen of the Night, furious at the turn of events, tries to induce Pamina to stab Sarastro, but to no avail.

The Queen's last attempt at revenge is foiled by the coming of dawn, which dispels the forces of night. Pamina and Tamino are united within the Sacred Order. The bird-catcher Papageno finds his very own Papagena.

Operas written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:

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