Die Zauberflote Act I, No. 4, Recit. and Aria: 'O zittre nicht, mein lieber Sohn!'

Question 1

No. 4 opens with a recitative. How is a recitative performed?

Answer 1

Sung speech (follows the natural rhythm of the words)

Question 2

What is the key of the recitative?

Answer 2

Bb major

Question 3

Describe the metre of the recitative.

Answer 3

Simple quadruple (4/4)

Question 4

What harmonic device is played by the bass instruments in the first 4 bars of the introduction to the recitative?

Answer 4

Tonic pedal note (Bb)

Question 5

What rhythmic device is played by the violins in the introduction?

Answer 5

Syncopation

Question 6

Describe the word setting of the recitative.

Answer 6

Syllabic

Question 7

Describe the tempo of the recitative.

Answer 7

Allegro maestoso (majestically lively/fast) but with some freedom

Question 8

Describe the harmony.

Answer 8

Diatonic

Question 9

Which two chords are predominantly played in the recitative?

Answer 9

Tonic and dominant seventh

Question 10

What is the key of the aria?

Answer 10

G minor (relative minor)

Question 11

Describe the meter of the aria?

Answer 11

Simple triple (3/4)

Question 12

What is the tempo at the start of the aria?

Answer 12

Larghetto (slow but bit faster than Largo)

Question 13

What type of voice sings No.4?

Answer 13

Soprano

Question 14

How does the music represent the words ‘evil man’ in bars 32 - 34?

Answer 14

Fast demisemiquavers (orchestra) and she sings high long F

Question 15

Describe the accompaniment in bars 36 - 43.

Answer 15

Repeated off beat semiquavers

Question 16

How is word painting used on ‘Ach helft’ (Ah help!)?

Answer 16

Diminished 7th chord underneath vocal high held Ab

Question 17

Describe the melodic movement in bar 49.

Answer 17

Triadic

Question 18

What key is the final section in?

Answer 18

Bb major (tonic)

Question 19

Describe the metre in the final section.

Answer 19

Simple quadruple

Question 20

What is the tempo of the final section?

Answer 20

Allegro moderato (moderately fast)

Question 21

Which two chords are emphasied in the opening bars of the final section?

Answer 21

Tonic and dominant

Question 22

What triad does she sing on the words ‘du, du, du’ (you, you, you) in bars 64 - 65?

Answer 22

Bb

Question 23

What ornament does she sing in bar 67 (‘ge…’)?

Answer 23

Turn

Question 24

Describe the rhythm of the accompaniment in bars 68 - 73.

Answer 24

Continuous quavers

Question 25

What makes the vocal part virtuosic?

Answer 25

13 bar melisma which includes continuous semiquavers

Question 26

What ornament does she sing on the first beat of bar 76?

Answer 26

Chromatic appoggiatura

Question 27

Describe the melodic movement of the first and last parts of the extended melisma.

Answer 27

Stepwise/conjunct

Question 28

Describe the melodic movement of the middle part of the extended melisma.

Answer 28

Triadic

Question 29

What is the highest note that she sings and where in the aria is it?

Answer 29

High F (3 F’s above middle C) in bar 92

Question 30

Which ornament does she sing in the bar after the highest note in bar 92?

Answer 30

Trill