Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Die Zauberflöte
Short instrumentation: 1 1 1 1 - 1 0 0 0 - pno (+b.d), kb glsp (+trgl; played by the conductor), vln(2), vla, vc, cb
Duration: 70'
Bearbeitet von: Alexander Krampe
Libretto von: Emanuel Schikaneder
Choir: sung by the musicians
Roles:
Pamina
Sopran Tamino
Tenor Papageno
Bariton Papagena
Sopran Königin der Nacht
Sopran Sarastro
Bass Monostatos
Tenor Eine Dame
Sopran
Instrumentation details:
flute(+picc)
oboe
clarinet in Bb
bassoon
horn in F
keyboard glockenspiel (+trgl
played by the conductor)
piano (+b.d)
1st violin
2nd violin
viola
violoncello
double bass
Mozart - Die Zauberflöte for solos and ensemble
Sample pages
Work introduction
This opera is a parable about love and friendship, fidelity and stalwartness, elevated by Mozart’s music to become one of the most beautiful true myths – and what could be truer than a myth? – in the history of the world.
This version reduces the original’s large cast to eight characters, scenically and musically fulfilling the story of Prince Tamino and his beloved Pamina and the adventures awaiting them. Of course, congenial Papageno is the ideal choice to narrate and to ally with those in the auditorium …
The substantially reduced dialogues largely use set pieces from the original; above all, it is the childlike yet astute tone of Emanuel Schikaneder’s text which, together with the music, forms a coherent entity and which, moreover, retains the compelling power of immortal poetry, beyond any specific temporality.
The musical arrangement adheres to the original score’s precepts. The large-scale, chamber-musical euphony from the 11-member orchestra gives the impression of a complete operatic experience, including a multitude of sonic nuances. (Percussion instruments are played by the pianist and the conductor).
Mozart’s Magic Flute is inestimably precious in humanity’s cultural heritage – just as it is self-evidently familiar in the ears of every child.
Alexander Krampe
Translated by Grant Chorley