Zauberflöte, Die (‘The Magic Flute’)
- Julian Rushton
Extract
Singspiel in two acts, K620, by wolfgang amadeus Mozart to a libretto by emanuel Schikaneder ; Vienna, Theater auf der Wieden, 30 September 1791.
Die Zauberflöte is an allegory set in no real locality or historical period. Ancient Egypt is evoked by the mysteries, but early productions also showed Islamic influence on costumes and neo-classical architecture appropriate to the Enlightenment. The exotic costumes and setting (and Tamino’s nationality) are a mask; Mozart and Schikaneder intended a coded representation of Freemasonry....
