Mozart: Die Zauberflöte, Excerpts From Act I

Question 1

Die Zauberflöte meaning

Answer 1

The magic flute

Question 2

What was Die Zauberflöte?

Answer 2

An opera
A singspiel: popular form of the time. included arias, ensembles, spoken dialogue

Aria: piece for solo, for operas

Question 3

When was Mozart alive?

Answer 3

1756 - 91
Classical

Question 4

Theme of the magic flute?

Answer 4

Ancient Egypt
Fairy-tale plot
Philosophical ideas
Psychological drama

Question 5

Instrumentation

Answer 5

Vocal score
Orchestral accompaniment reduced and adapted for piano

Question 6

What is No. 4 ‘O zittre nicht’ about?

Answer 6

Queen demands hero to rescue her daughter

Question 7

What is No. 5 ‘Hm! Hm! Hm! Hm!’ about?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Who is No. 4 ‘O zittre nicht, mein lieber Sohn!’ written for?

Answer 8

The Queen of the Night
Role for coloratura sop. (elaborately ornamented melody of runs and trills)

Question 9

What is the form of No. 4 ‘O zittre nicht, mein lieber Sohn!’?

Answer 9

Recitative (declamatory speech-like singing) and aria

Question 10

What happens throghout the 3 sections of No. 4?

Answer 10

Tone of grief and pathos in opening eventually replaced by anger

Question 11

What happens in the intro of No.4?

Answer 11

Queen of the Night makes an entrance with 10 bars
Orchestral introduction rises up register with gradual crescendo

Question 12

What contrast is there in No.4 intro?

Answer 12

Free rhythm of vocal line
…in contrast with…
Strict orchestral tempo

Question 13

What is the second section of No.4 the first part of?

Answer 13

The aria

Question 14

Describe the tempo, rhythm and tone of No.4 second section
What happens during this section?

Answer 14

Slow lyrical lament
Largely in G minor

Queen turns to hero for consolation

Question 15

How are appoggiaturas used in second section of No.4?

Answer 15

Several phrases end with appoggiatura ‘sighs’
Ex: bar 52

Question 16

As section two of No.4 develops, what happens?

Answer 16

Vocal range gradually broadens
Tessitura gets higher (range within which most notes of vocal part fall)
Melody more angular

Question 17

What is the tempo and key of section 3 of No.4?

Answer 17

Allegro moderato
B flat

Question 18

What does section 3 of No.4 end with?

Answer 18

Passage of virtuosic writing (expert)

Question 19

What happens in the story in part 3 of No.4?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

What does the 3rd section of No.4 use?

Answer 20

Scalic passages
Arpeggios
Sequences

Question 21

How does No.5 contrast No.4?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

What is the dynamic between the hero and liars parts in No.5?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

What happens in the story in the final andante section of No.5?
What does this cause?

Answer 23

3 wise boys will guide hero and liar
Mood changes

Question 24

Describe the instrumentation of the final andante section of No.5

Answer 24

Sung sotto voce (quiet, as if to net be overheard)
…to accompaniment of…
Clarinets
High bassoons
Pizzicato violins