Die Zauberflöte - No 4 & No 5

Question 1

What type of work is this?

Answer 1

• Classical period opera

* Singspiel - in German, spoken dialogue instead of recitative between arias, choruses and ensemble numbers.

Question 2

What is the recitative reserved for?

Answer 2

More dramatic moments!

Question 3

When was this first performed?

Answer 3

30th September, 1791

Question 4

What ideals of the 18th century does the story include?

Answer 4

Freemasonry and enlightenment

Question 5

What does the opera require (in terms of general performers)?

Answer 5

• Vocal soloists
• Chorus
• Orchestra

Question 6

What happens in No 4? (Story)

Answer 6

Queen of the Night commands Tamimo to rescue Pamina from the ‘evil’ Sarastro?

Question 7

What happens in No 5? (Story)

Answer 7

• Papageno gagged by the Queen of The Night’s Three Ladies because of lying.
• After being freed, Papageno and Tamino are sent to rescue Pamina.
• They are gifted a magic flute and magic bells, guided by the three boys.

Question 8

Who are the soloists- character and range?

Answer 8

•Queen of The Night - Coloratura soprano
•Tamino - Tenor
•Papageno - Baritone
•The Three Ladies - Sopranos
 --> They have separate homophonic parts (excluding bar 287, where ladies 1 and 2 double at the unison)

Question 9

What parts of the orchestra are needed for No 4 and No 5?

Answer 9

Only a small part of the orchestra-
•2 Oboes
•2 bassoons
•2 horns in Bb
•Strings
▪+Clarinet for No 5

Question 10

What string technique is used in No 5 and at which bar is it used?

Answer 10

Pizzicato at the Andante - bar 214

Question 11

What is the notation for the singspiel?

Answer 11

•Presented as a vocal score with a line for each vocalist

▪Exception of the Three Ladies, where ladies 1 and 2 share a stave.

Question 12

What language is used for markings?

Answer 12

•Italian terms are used for the tempos and usual dynamic markings are used (but very rare) in vocal parts.
▪For example, No 5 bars 192-203
•’Sotto voce’ (under the voice) indicated for the Three Ladies at bar 184 in No 5
•German terms and abbreviations are used for the instruments
◇Br - Bratsche (violas)
◇Bläs - Bläser (wind)

Question 13

What are the tempos of Nos 4 and 5?

Answer 13

Both numbers have tempo contrasts

No 4
•Allegro maestoso》Larghetto》Allegro Moderato

No 5
•Allegro》Moderato

Question 14

What are the metres of Nos 4 and 5?

Answer 14

Both numbers have metre changes.

No 4
•Simple quadruple> for two allegro sections
•Simple triple> larghetto

No 5
•’Cut common time’ - fast 2/2
•Relaxed quadruple > moderato

Question 15

What are the rhythmic features of both numbers?

Answer 15

•No 4 - syncopation in intro
•’free time’ delivery in recitative bit
•Frequent dotted rhythms
•Rapid dramatic flourishes
▪semi quaver triplets in Allegro Moderato (62-63)
•Virtuosic streams of semiquavers (e.g. No 4 79-92)

Question 16

What is the vocal range of the Queen of the Night in the recitative and aria?

Answer 16

Wide
▪D above middle C - F
▪2 Octaves and 1/3 apart

Question 17

What are the melodic features of the two numbers?

Answer 17

•Falling diminished 7th and typical recitative closing formula 》Last bar of No 4
•Unusual phrase structure at start of aria
》3+3+2+2 bars
•Ornamentation and appogiaturas intensify power of expression
•Sequence》No 4 , bars 28-31
•Chromatic descent 》 No 4 , bars 41-43 for PATHOS
•Frequent rapidly moving scales 》No 4, Allegro Moderato

Question 18

What is the word setting in the two numbers?

Answer 18

• mixture of melisma, syllabic and neumatic.

Question 19

What is the melody marked by in No 5?

Answer 19

• Periodic phrasing
• Generally diatonic writing
• Repeated notes

Question 20

What are the harmonic features of the two works?

Answer 20

•Functional harmony
•Clearly defined perfect and imperfect cadences
•Interrupted cadences (e.g. No 4 bars 55-56)
•Neapolitan 6th (No 4 bar 19)
–> Followed by diminished 7th in bar 20
•Tonic pedal (No 4 , opening)
•Augmented 6th chord (No 5, bar 150)

Question 21

What is the tonality of both works?

Answer 21

• Bb major
• Modulation to related keys
• Key typically shaped and stengthened by perfect cadences.

Question 22

What and where are the modulations in No 4?

Answer 22

Bb》Gm (bar 21) 》 Cm (bar 38)

tonic 》 relative minor》 IV of rm

Question 23

What and where are the modulations in No 5?

Answer 23

Bb》 F (bar 34) 》 Dm (142) 》 Eb (172)

I》V》Rm of V》IV

Question 24

What is the structure of No 4?

Answer 24

•Recitative

•Aria (orchestrally accompanied)
▪2 sections used to reflect dramatic situation
◇ Section 1
》Largo - sorrow at loss of Pamina and condemnation of Sarastro
◇Section 2
》Allegro Moderato- Tamino commanded to rescue Pamina

Question 25

What is the structure of No 5?

Answer 25

No 5 is a through composed ensemble number

-clearly differentiated sections reflecting course of action

Question 26

What are the textures in the two numbers?

Answer 26

• Mainly melody dominated homophony
• Homophony (Homorhythm)》 No 5 bars 47-77
• Octaves 》 No 5 bars 61-64