Overture: The Magic Flute - Mozart (1756-1791)

The Magic Flute, first performed in Vienna in 1791, is rightly one of Mozart's most enduring and endearing operas. The subject matter ranges from the pantomime, through the supernatural to a tale about ordinary human beings. Mozart and his librettist, Schikaneder, were both keen Freemasons at a time when membership of this brotherhood was officially frowned on as hostile to the Roman Catholic Church and the Austrian State itself. The scene, set in ancient Egypt (purported to be the birthplace of Freemasonry), involves rites of purification in Sarastro's temple. If the latter stood for enlightenment, then the wicked Queen of the Night seems to portray the oppressive Church and Establishment. The flute of the title, presented to the hero, Tamino, by Papageno, the "bird-man", assists him in his quest for "the Truth". To aid the seriousness of the basic idea, Mozart added three trombones to his score - used to give weight to the opening of the overture. The consequent very lively music seems an altogether much more bubbly affair although we are reminded of higher matters when the music is interrupted by three solemn chords, repeated with telling effect, supposedly played by priests, in the temple at the opening of the second act.

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