Mozart, The Magic Flute: Excerpts from Act 1 no.4 (Queen of the Night), 5 (Quintet)

Question 1

What is an aria?

Answer 1

An aria is a long song accompanying a solo voice, usually in an opera.

Question 2

A1 No.4 : What is the texture?

Answer 2

The texture is mainly melody-dominated homophony.

Question 3

A1 No.4 : Does the piece begin with the aria or a recitative?

Answer 3

After the orchestral introduction there is a short passage of accompanied recitative.

Question 4

A1 No.4 : What key does the first section of the aria begin in?

Answer 4

For contrast, the larghetto middle section is in the relative minor key of G minor.

Question 5

What year was The Magic Flute written?

Answer 5

1791.

Classical Period.

Question 6

A1 No.4 : What voice is the piece written for?

Answer 6

Coloratura soprano.

Question 7

A1 No.4 : What key is the recitative in?

Answer 7

B♭ major.

Question 8

A1 No.4 : How many sections is the aria of Act 1 No.4 split into?

Answer 8

2

The first section begins in G minor and is a moderate paced legato (smoothly flowing)
aria in simple triple time.

The final allegro moderato (moderately fast) section is in B♭ major.

Question 9

A1 No.4 : Describe the rhythm in the opening of the recitative.

Answer 9

The recitative begins with continuous repeated crotchet tonic pedal notes in the
bass, with syncopated repeated quavers in the violins.

Question 10

A1 No.4 : What is the main key?

Answer 10

The key is B♭ major and most of the music is diatonic in that key.

Question 11

A1 No.4 : What cadence is used at the end?

Answer 11

The aria ends with repeated, emphatic perfect cadences.

Question 12

A1 No.5 : What is the name of Act 1 No.5?

Answer 12

Hm! Hm! Hm! Hm!

Question 13

What musical era did Mozart live throughout?

Answer 13

Classical (1750-1820)

Question 14

What are some characteristics of the classical era?

Answer 14

Variety and contrast within a piece become more pronounced than before.

• Variety of keys, melodies, rhythms
• Dynamics (use of crescendos, diminuendos, and sforzando).
• Orchestra increased in size and range.

Question 15

Act 1 No.5 : Describe the dynamics.

Answer 15

• Mozart frequently uses sotto voce.

- There are more dynamic indications than in act No.4.

Question 16

Act 1 No.5 : What is the texture?

Answer 16

Mainly melody dominated homophony.

Question 17

Act 1 No.5 : What is the time signature?

Answer 17

The movement is in cut common time, giving the tempo a swift two-in-a-bar feel to it.

Question 18

Act 1 No.5 : Describe the rhythm.

Answer 18

The rhythms and note values are generally very simple (mainly crotchets and quavers), to emphasise the comic nature and simplicity of Papageno.

Question 19

Act 1 No.5 : Describe the sonority.

Answer 19

• Five singing parts.

- At the andante section (bar 214) the clarinets are accompanied by pizzicato strings for a more sombre mood.

Question 20

Act 1 No.5 : What is the harmony like?

Answer 20

• Diatonic and functional.

- There are numerous uses of appoggiaturas.