Die Zauberflote - The Magic Flute

The Magic Flute was Mozart's final opera. It wasPamina - Anna Gottileb
written in 1791, the year of his death. It was firstQueen of the Night - Josepha Hofer (Mozart's sister in
performed at the Theater auf der Weiden in Vienna.law)
How The Magic Flute Came AboutSarastro - Franz Xaver Gerl
The idea for The Magic Flute came about as a resultPapagena - Barbera Gerl
of the friendship between Mozart and EmmanuelLibretto
Schikaneder who was an actor, singer and was alsoThe story is a somewhat convoluted and potentially
the manager of the Theater auf der Weiden, whichconfusing one and the main plot gives way at frequent
had been gaining in popularity with the Viennese middleintervals to comic sub plots. However the basic story
classes. Schikanader suggested to Mozart that ais about Tamino, a prince, and Pamina, daughter of the
pantomime type comic opera would be a crowdQueen of The Night.
pleaser and potentially highly profitable for them both.Tamino becomes lost in a far off land. He is being
Mozart, who was at that time under some financialpersued by a serpent which is killed by three ladies
strain, agreed readily.who are attendants of the Queen of the Night. Tamino
Mozart worked on the opera over the summer of 1791then meets Papageno, the birdcatcher who pretends
and it did much to raise his spirits regarding his moneyto Tamino that it was he who rescued him. The three
woes. However shortly after beginning work heladies are angry at this and punish Papageno. They
received a commission which has been the cause ofshow Tamino a picture of a young maiden (Pamina)
much rumour and speculation ever since. He wasand Tamino falls instantly in love with her. At this
supposedly sent an anonymous request to write amoment the Queen of The Night appears and tells
requiem mass. There was a condition on the finalTamino that he must rescue her daughter ( Pamina)
payment that Mozart should make no attempt towho is being held captive by the evil Sarastro. She
discover who his patron was. Despite the odd way inpromises Tamino that if he frees her daughter then he
which the commission was sent Mozart decided tocan marry her. He is given a magic flute to take on his
accept - after all it was going to pay well.journey.
Mozart was again surprised when in he received aTamino agrees and sets off on his rescue mission but
commission to write an opera to celebrate thewhen he arrives at the place where Pamina is being
crowning of Emperor Leopold II as King of Bohemia.held he is not allowed to pass through the Gates of
Time was short and work had to begin immediately.Nature and Reason. He tries the Gate of Wisdom
As a result he was obliged to delay working on theinstead where a priest tells him that Sarastro is actually
Magic Flute and travel to Prague, which did not pleasea good character. Tamino plays the Magic Flute, hoping
Shikanader. On returning to Vienna in Septemberto bring Pamina to him. She eventaullay arrives
Mozart, under some pressure from Schikanader,together with Papageno. The guards attempt to
managed to complete The Magic Flute in time for itscapture them but Papageno enchants them with his
premiere on 30th September.magic bells. Sarastro arrives and Pamina tells him that
Schikanader was proved right; it was a huge successshe wishes to leave with Tamino. Together with the
and attracted full houses.council of priests Sarastro decrees that Pamina can
Original castleave with Tamino if they can pass a trial by ordeal.
Tamino - -Benedict SchackThey complete their trials with the help of the Magic
Papageno - Emanuel SchikanaderFlute and are re-united again.