Instructions For Online Concert Assignment:
Watch the video of Act 1 of the opera, The Magic Flute. Please watch this video first and take notes based on the rubric questions. You will also be researching the composer and history of the opera for this assignment. The first act is about an hour long. Note: print a copy of the instructions to take notes while watching.
Important: Create a Word document (500-750 words) and answer the questions in paragraph form unless it requires a shorter answer. You will then submit your word document by attaching it to this assignment. Do not answer in the text box. Please do not send Google Documents, because I can’t open them unless you give me permission to access the document. I will have to email you if you do not give me permission.
Use of AI: Please carefully review the rubric questions because some questions prohibit the use of AI. For rubric questions where AI use is not prohibited, you may use AI tools for research purposes such as brainstorming and understanding complex concepts. However, you must cite any use of AI.
Prohibited Use of AI (Even with Citation): Directly copying and pasting AI-generated text or using AI to generate entire sections of your paper (beyond permitted research uses) is prohibited, even with citation. Your work must demonstrate your own understanding and analysis of the material.
1. First read the plot below to understand the whole opera and the character voice types. Even though you will only be watching Act 1, you must understand what happens from beginning to end.
2. Write a short biography of the composer and the history of the opera. Do not copy your book or use Wikipedia. Go to other places online for your research. Also, put the name of the website and URL of where you got your information at the end of each answer.
3. Rubric questions to answer:
· Who was the librettist, Emanuel Schikaneder, and what other part did he play in the creation of this opera? (Research but cite)
· Why did Mozart compose this work and at what venue was it first performed? (Research but cite)
· This opera is full of Masonic imagery. Can you identify two of these images in Act 1 that you watched on the video. (Research but cite)
· How do the voice types of the different characters reflect themselves? Does the color of their voice go with their character? (NO AI)
· What character did you like the most and why? (NO AI)
· What other characters did you notice that you also gravitated to, and why did they stand out. (NO AI)
· What mood does the overture music (the beginning music) evoke to you? In this video you get to see what is happening backstage before the opera begins while the overture is playing. (NO AI)
· How is the acting? How is it different than film acting? (NO AI)
· What did you like about this opera so far and why? (NO AI)
· The director of this modern production was Julie Taymor. Who is she and what other musical works has she directed? Hint: All the puppets and visual designs were her creation or idea, except for the set design. (Research but cite)
** VERY IMPORTANT: These questions are meant to help you craft a solid report. Do not answer in only 1 or 2 sentences. The more information you give me, and most importantly, your thoughts, the more points out of 100 you will earn.
You can email me or message me on Bb with any questions.
Good Luck!
Plot Synopsis of The Magic Flute
Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Librettist: Emanuel Schikaneder
List of Characters:
Tamino – Light/Lyric Tenor. Young Prince
Pamina – Soprano. Daughter of the Queen of the Night.
Papageno – Bass-Baritone. A Bird hunter and Tamino’s sidekick. (Papageno is assigned as Basso in the original Mozart score. At the time, in Vienna, it wasn’t common to use the Baritone label. Bass included the Baritone voice. The role is sung by a variety of voices today. From basses to light baritones.)
Papagena – Soprano. The Bird hunter’s girlfriend to be.
Queen of the Night – Coloratura Soprano. Mother of Pamina, and Sarastro’s rival.
Sarastro – Deep Bass. High Priest. A sort of authoritative Father/King character.
Monostatos – (Comical Role), Tenor. Sarastro’s handyman (and secretly the Queen of the Night’s henchman.)
A mythical land between the sun and the moon. Three ladies in the service of the Queen of the Night save Prince Tamino from a serpent. When they leave to tell the queen, the birdcatcher Papageno appears. He boasts to Tamino that it was he who killed the creature. The ladies return to give Tamino a portrait of the queen’s daughter, Pamina, who they say has been enslaved by the evil Sarastro. Tamino immediately falls in love with the girl’s picture. The queen, appearing in a burst of thunder, tells Tamino about the loss of her daughter and commands him to rescue her. The ladies give a magic flute to Tamino and silver bells to Papageno to ensure their safety on the journey and appoint three spirits to guide them.
Sarastro’s servant, Monostatos, pursues Pamina but is frightened away by Papageno. The birdcatcher tells Pamina that Tamino loves her and is on his way to save her. Led by the three spirits to the temple of Sarastro, Tamino learns from a high priest that it is the Queen, not Sarastro, who is evil. Hearing that Pamina is safe, Tamino charms the wild animals with his flute, then rushes off to follow the sound of Papageno’s pipes. Monostatos and his men chase Papageno and Pamina but are left helpless when Papageno plays his magic bells. Sarastro enters in great ceremony. He punishes Monostatos and promises Pamina that he will eventually set her free. Pamina catches a glimpse of Tamino, who is led into the temple with Papageno.
Sarastro tells the priests that Tamino will undergo initiation rites. Monostatos tries to kiss the sleeping Pamina but is surprised by the appearance of the Queen of the Night. The Queen gives her daughter a dagger and orders her to murder Sarastro.
Plot Continued:
Sarastro finds the desperate Pamina and consoles her, explaining that he is not interested in vengeance. Tamino and Papageno are told by a priest that they must remain silent and are not allowed to eat, a vow that Papageno immediately breaks when he takes a glass of water from a flirtatious old lady. When he asks her name, the old lady vanishes. The three spirits appear to guide Tamino through the rest of his journey and to tell Papageno to be quiet. Tamino remains silent even when Pamina appears. Misunderstanding his vow for coldness, she is heartbroken.
The priests inform Tamino that he has only two more trials to complete his initiation. Papageno, who has given up on entering the brotherhood, longs for a wife instead. He eventually settles for the old lady. When he promises to be faithful, she turns into a beautiful young Papagena but immediately disappears.
Pamina and Tamino are reunited and face the ordeals of water and fire together, protected by the magic flute.
Papageno tries to hang himself on a tree but is saved by the three spirits, who remind him that if he uses his magic bells he will find true happiness. When he plays the bells, Papagena appears and the two start making family plans. The Queen of the Night, her three ladies, and Monostatos attack the temple but are defeated and banished. Sarastro blesses Pamina and Tamino as all join in hailing the triumph of courage, virtue, and wisdom.