Die Zauberflote Act I, No. 4, Recit. and Aria: 'O zittre nicht, mein lieber Sohn!' Flashcards
No. 4 opens with a recitative. How is a recitative performed?
Sung speech (follows the natural rhythm of the words)
What is the key of the recitative?
Bb major
Describe the metre of the recitative.
Simple quadruple (4/4)
What harmonic device is played by the bass instruments in the first 4 bars of the introduction to the recitative?
Tonic pedal note (Bb)
What rhythmic device is played by the violins in the introduction?
Syncopation
Describe the word setting of the recitative.
Syllabic
Describe the tempo of the recitative.
Allegro maestoso (majestically lively/fast) but with some freedom
Describe the harmony.
Diatonic
Which two chords are predominantly played in the recitative?
Tonic and dominant seventh
What is the key of the aria?
G minor (relative minor)
Describe the meter of the aria?
Simple triple (3/4)
What is the tempo at the start of the aria?
Larghetto (slow but bit faster than Largo)
What type of voice sings No.4?
Soprano
How does the music represent the words ‘evil man’ in bars 32 - 34?
Fast demisemiquavers (orchestra) and she sings high long F
Describe the accompaniment in bars 36 - 43.
Repeated off beat semiquavers
How is word painting used on ‘Ach helft’ (Ah help!)?
Diminished 7th chord underneath vocal high held Ab
Describe the melodic movement in bar 49.
Triadic
What key is the final section in?
Bb major (tonic)
Describe the metre in the final section.
Simple quadruple
What is the tempo of the final section?
Allegro moderato (moderately fast)
Which two chords are emphasied in the opening bars of the final section?
Tonic and dominant
What triad does she sing on the words ‘du, du, du’ (you, you, you) in bars 64 - 65?
Bb
What ornament does she sing in bar 67 (‘ge…’)?
Turn
Describe the rhythm of the accompaniment in bars 68 - 73.
Continuous quavers
What makes the vocal part virtuosic?
13 bar melisma which includes continuous semiquavers
What ornament does she sing on the first beat of bar 76?
Chromatic appoggiatura
Describe the melodic movement of the first and last parts of the extended melisma.
Stepwise/conjunct
Describe the melodic movement of the middle part of the extended melisma.
Triadic
What is the highest note that she sings and where in the aria is it?
High F (3 F’s above middle C) in bar 92
Which ornament does she sing in the bar after the highest note in bar 92?
Trill
