Mozart: Die Zauberflöte, Excerpts From Act I Flashcards
Die Zauberflöte meaning
The magic flute
What was Die Zauberflöte?
An opera
A singspiel: popular form of the time. included arias, ensembles, spoken dialogue
Aria: piece for solo, for operas
When was Mozart alive?
1756 - 91
Classical
Theme of the magic flute?
Ancient Egypt
Fairy-tale plot
Philosophical ideas
Psychological drama
Instrumentation
Vocal score
Orchestral accompaniment reduced and adapted for piano
What is No. 4 ‘O zittre nicht’ about?
Queen demands hero to rescue her daughter
What is No. 5 ‘Hm! Hm! Hm! Hm!’ about?
Humming noises as liar character has a padlock fitted to his mouth.
3 lady’s come and remove it, instruct him to accompany hero and make up a 3 part homophonic texture
5 parts when liar and other character join in
Give hero a magic flute
Give liar magic bells
Who is No. 4 ‘O zittre nicht, mein lieber Sohn!’ written for?
The Queen of the Night
Role for coloratura sop. (elaborately ornamented melody of runs and trills)
What is the form of No. 4 ‘O zittre nicht, mein lieber Sohn!’?
Recitative (declamatory speech-like singing) and aria
What happens throghout the 3 sections of No. 4?
Tone of grief and pathos in opening eventually replaced by anger
What happens in the intro of No.4?
Queen of the Night makes an entrance with 10 bars
Orchestral introduction rises up register with gradual crescendo
What contrast is there in No.4 intro?
Free rhythm of vocal line
…in contrast with…
Strict orchestral tempo
What is the second section of No.4 the first part of?
The aria
Describe the tempo, rhythm and tone of No.4 second section
What happens during this section?
Slow lyrical lament
Largely in G minor
Queen turns to hero for consolation
How are appoggiaturas used in second section of No.4?
Several phrases end with appoggiatura ‘sighs’
Ex: bar 52
As section two of No.4 develops, what happens?
Vocal range gradually broadens
Tessitura gets higher (range within which most notes of vocal part fall)
Melody more angular
What is the tempo and key of section 3 of No.4?
Allegro moderato
B flat
What does section 3 of No.4 end with?
Passage of virtuosic writing (expert)
What happens in the story in part 3 of No.4?
Queen reveals darker side
Expresses anger using a rising coloratura, soars over two octaves to an exceptionally high F
Coloratura: elaborate embellishment in vocal music
What does the 3rd section of No.4 use?
Scalic passages
Arpeggios
Sequences
How does No.5 contrast No.4?
Sudden shift from queens fiery outcry to liars inarticulate ‘Hm, hm’
No.5 largely humorous and melodious in character
Liar can only grunt until 3 ladies unlock his mouth
What is the dynamic between the hero and liars parts in No.5?
Liars nonsense syllables make him ridiculous
But the repeated notes supply foundation for hero’s melodious replies
Characters express individual thoughts as solos
But come together for moments of agreement
What happens in the story in the final andante section of No.5?
What does this cause?
3 wise boys will guide hero and liar
Mood changes
Describe the instrumentation of the final andante section of No.5
Sung sotto voce (quiet, as if to net be overheard)
…to accompaniment of…
Clarinets
High bassoons
Pizzicato violins
