Introduction
The Magic Flute is an opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, composed in 1791. It consists of two acts and tells the story of the victory of light over darkness. Unlike many of Mozart’s other works, The Magic Flute is written in German and departs from traditional Italian opera. It is an example of a unique work created by Mozart in an attempt to transform the theater.
What is It?
The Magic Flute is a sonata that consists of traditional structural elements. The form of the work is an overture, which contains three chords heard throughout the opera. The three chords lie in E-flat and are essential to the piece’s texture. It begins with a slow introduction, followed by a bright allegro and a rapid increase in the tempo of the music in a new key (Mozart, 1791). One of the overture’s iconic features is the fugue, which describes the melody of the music – the repetition of the melody of one instrument by other instruments at different pitches.
How Does It Work?
The Magic Flute differs from all of Mozart’s other works in that it functions as something previously unknown to opera. First, the most crucial element is the relationship between the rhythm and the number three. The rhythm is retained as 4/4, but the chords used consist of three notes that emphasize the meaning of the work (Mozart, 1791). The texture of the piece as a whole remains unchanged and monotonous, dominated by melody and homophony.
The second piece was created for the two flutes, which are the basis of the melody (Mozart, 1791). They take the lead over the other instruments, which negotiate with each other to create the fugue. Thirdly, the changes in the conversations between the instruments and the changes in the timbre of the clarinet and oboe form the basis for the dynamic development of the opera plot (Mozart, 1791). The aerophone of the work is governed by the pitch of the characters, which commands the audience’s attention, drawing them to follow the tension in the changing melody.
What Does It Mean?
The Magic Flute is a mystery to many followers of Mozart’s work, as the connection to the Freemasons is intriguing. The number three is associated with the cyclical repetition of chords, the melody’s mood, and part of the Masonic organizations. The three majestic chords used by Mozart open and close the wheel of Samsara, or the stages of the passage of members of Masonic organizations. Mozart’s Masonic ideology consisted of Enlightenment philosophy, not mysticism. The Magic Flute is a continuation of Mozart’s exploration of the central philosophical concepts of the Enlightenment period – harmony, the value of human life, happiness, and development. Masonic music sought to reveal good ideas, so The Magic Flute can be considered a logical continuation of Mozart’s activities as a Mason.
Specially selected chords reveal the pillars of Enlightenment philosophy and Masonic ideology. The three knocks on the door, a request to join a Masonic organization, are associated with Mozart’s three chords, appearing at pivotal moments in the plot. The gradual rise in pitch and power of the sound, the indoctrination of humanity, and the freedom-loving qualities of man through a strong and unified melody give the work meaning (Mozart, 1791). The Magic Flute demonstrates the possibilities of becoming a better version of oneself, which requires change and growth.
What Is Its History?
The Magic Flute appeared on the theater stage in 1791, shortly before Amadeus Mozart’s death. It was performed at the Freihaus-Theater auf der Wieden, with Mozart’s daughter-in-law in the title role. Emanuel Schikaneder was the compiler of the libretto, and The Magic Flute was the culmination of his collaboration with Mozart. The work continues the opera tales, combining seriousness with comedic elements. Such a genre was popular in the late 18th century, and Schikaneder and Mozart probably wanted to capitalize on it. The historical context of The Magic Flute has to do with the personal desire of its creators to embody their own philosophical and ideological ideas about the confrontation between good and evil.
Where Do We Go From Here?
After The Magic Flute was published, Mozart composed and personally conducted a few other works. Illness took its toll on the composer, but The Magic Flute has become one of the best-known and most exciting works to be staged in the theater. The work’s multiple adaptations stem from a desire to explore the overture’s mysterious meanings and decompose them into parts that keep the plot and story dynamic. The Magic Flute begins and ends abruptly, without conceding to the more straightforward and linear compositions.
Conclusion
The Magic Flute is an opera tale created by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in an attempt to realize the ideas of the Enlightenment and Freemasonry. It has dynamics, pronounced tonal and rhythmic features, expressed in oscillations between the force and pitch of the sound. The homophony combines with the fugue and offers the listener a taste of the changing moods and the grandiose power of the two flutes, which stand out from the negotiation of the other instruments. The Magic Flute is a unique overture that tells the story of the formation of human values.
Reference
Mozart, A. W. (1791). The magic flute (K. 20) [Opera]. Theater auf der Wieden, Vienna.